The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has launched the first edition of its new publication, The Textiles Observer, now available for free access. With this initiative, ICAC expands its focus from just cotton agriculture to covering the full cotton-to-textile value chain, aligning with its renewed commitment to industry-wide representation.
Spearheading this broader perspective is Mr. Kanwar Usman, ICAC’s Head of Textiles and editor of the new magazine. In his opening note, he emphasizes that The Textiles Observer is a strategic move to integrate textiles into ICAC’s global development priorities and to foster collaboration among stakeholders in the cotton and textile industries.
This inaugural issue spans 63 pages and features four major articles:
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“Helping Brands Achieve Traceable Cotton Supply Chains”
by Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect, explores traceability in global sourcing. -
“From Net Zero to Nature-Positive”
by Dr. Tanveer Hussain of Pakistan’s National Textile University, highlights challenges in sustainability and climate targets within fashion and textiles. -
“Preserving Fiber Quality Through the Cotton Pipeline”
by Marinus HJ van der Sluijs, addresses fiber quality management from field to fabric. -
A 40-page Textile Sector Review by Mr. Kanwar Usman, summarizing insights from the Textiles in ICAC Member Countries report. This is intended to become an annual industry benchmark, covering each ICAC member’s role in the textile landscape.
The release of this publication marks a new chapter in ICAC’s mission to integrate textile innovation, traceability, and sustainability into its global cotton mandate.
