Alok Industries partners Kasturi Cotton to boost Indian ELS cotton

Alok Industries has signed an MoU with Kasturi Cotton to procure 50 lakh bales this season. The agreement, announced by Texprocil Executive Director Siddhartha Rajagopal, aims to promote Kasturi Cotton as a premium Indian Extra Long Staple (ELS) variety.

The signing was attended by Sunil Patwari, Chairman of the Kasturi Cotton Committee, and Biji Chacko, Group COO of Alok Industries. Chacko highlighted the need to reduce ELS cotton imports by enhancing India’s domestic production. He stated that this initiative aligns with the Make in India vision and aims to position Kasturi Cotton as a global brand. As part of this effort, Alok Industries will initially procure 50,000 bales and incorporate them into its product range.

He outlined plans to elevate Kasturi Cotton to the same level as Egyptian, Pima, and Australian varieties. While Indian cotton has traditionally been recognized for its competitive pricing, the focus is now on establishing its reputation for superior quality.

Patwari described the MoU as a major step in branding Indian cotton, with Texprocil working to bring 25 per cent of India’s crop under Kasturi. Additionally, Indo Count Industries signed an MoU for 5,000 bales. Kasturi Cotton, backed by the Ministry of Textiles, Texprocil, and industry stakeholders, ensures traceability and certification to establish India’s premium cotton identity globally.