European Cotton Alliance debuts EU cotton at Milano Unica

At Milano Unica l in Milan on July 10, the European Cotton Alliance (ECA) introduced EU cotton, a new initiative aimed at showcasing the quality and sustainability of European cotton. The event drew over 80 attendees, including key Italian fashion representatives from brands like Versace, Gucci, Superga, and Candiani Denim,.

Francesco Casile, recently honored as Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito, opened the event with a speech underscoring the importance of sustainable yarn sourcing. ECA delegates Antonios Siarkos, President, ECA, and Dimitris Polychronos, CEO, Nafpaktos Textile Industry, highlighted the advantages of European cotton, particularly from Greece and Spain. They emphasized that this cotton is natural, non-GMO, and certified, and promotes full traceability from farm to fashion.

Siarkos pointed out the environmental impact of textile production, noting that European textile production ranks fourth in environmental impact after food, housing, and mobility. A panel discussion, included industry leaders who discussed sustainable practices and the challenges of garment traceability.

The event also featured contributions from Italian universities like NABA and Polidesign, which will collaborate with EU cotton to develop workshops for students. Siarkos concluded that regional, traceable supply chains are crucial for meeting advanced industry needs and supporting sustainable practices.