The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), based in Geneva, became the newest member of the Bremen Cotton Exchange in December 2014. BCI works globally, with the aim of developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity through measurable continuous improvements.  BCI was founded in 2009 by various industry actors, including adidas, H&M, ICCO, IFAP, IFC, IKEA and WWF. These members have now been joined by companies such as Marks and Spencer, VFcorporation, Levi Strauss & Co., Inditex, Migros and Nike amongst others. BCI is a multi-stakeholder organisation, working with a diverse range of organisations throughout the cotton supply chain with one joint mission; to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the sector’s future.

The Bremen Cotton Exchange also deals with the subject of sustainable cotton growing as part of its cooperation with the relevant cotton organisations from around the world. For many years it has been an active member of the Social, Environmental and Economic Performance of Cotton (SEEP) expert group at the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

The textile and clothing industry demands a high standard of workmanship in cotton. Reference samples of all cotton qualities available worldwide are stored at the Bremen Cotton Exchange. By working closely with ICA Bremen, quality checks can be performed regularly to control business in the cotton trade.

There is a growing need for information about cotton. Against this background, the Cotton Exchange regularly provides information to its members, and especially the public, with objective and factual reports about global trends in cotton in terms of price, availability, the situation on the procurement markets and the latest developments in cotton and its added value to the world community.

“Just like the Bremen Cotton Exchange, the Better Cotton Initiative has a worldwide network. Both organisations have far-reaching expertise in the market, the processes and methods of cotton growing. In this respect, we look forward to intensive expert dialogue with the BCI team”, said Ernst Grimmelt, President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.

BCI’s CEO Patrick Laine added, “The Bremen Cotton Exchange’s global reputation for expertise concerning the quality of cotton has been established over 130 years of history.  BCI looks forward to a close collaboration as we strive to continuously improve the sustainability and quality of the cotton produced by over 1.2 million farmers who currently participate in our program.  We are delighted to join the membership of this renowned organization.”