BASF’s e3 Sustainable Cotton program, the first transparent and traceable cotton supply chain, has announced exceptional growth. More than 900 producers signed up for the initiative by registering cotton bales from the 2021 growing season, a 25% increase over the previous year.

Rachel Walters, BASF Regional Grower & Channel Marketing Manager Seeds, said that the rise they witnessed this year is really encouraging. The e3 Cotton program delivers value for producers, the environment, and the end consumer, and their enrollment figures show that the future of the sustainable cotton sector is bright.

Growers that participate in the e3 Sustainable Cotton program agree to track eight sustainability indicators on all qualifying cotton acres, ranging from water usage and pesticide control to soil conservation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The cotton they cultivate can be traced from an individual cotton bale on their farm to the final customer via a multitude of digital networks.

Chris King, Stoneville grower and first-time e3 cotton program member from Georgia., said that he is excited to join the e3 cotton program to help advance sustainable cotton initiatives, and is constantly searching for ways to be a better custodian of the land.

Earlier this year, the e3 Cotton initiative announced a partnership with the UN-hosted Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network for a series of gatherings in New York City in 2022 and 2023. e3 will convene industry stakeholders, United Nations representatives, and news media to discuss how the fashion and lifestyle sectors are well-positioned to collaborate and participate in the Sustainable Development Goals.