COTTON MADE IN AFRICA

A sustainable thread in bed linen: CmiA Cotton in the new ‘Tzigana’ productions

The Tzigana on the bed: how sustainable is it?

In collaboration with our partner Dibella, Blycolin has purchased CmiA-certified cotton for the new productions of the Tzigana. The new duvet covers and pillowcases from the Tzigana collection now feature sustainable CmiA cotton. But how sustainable is this really?

CmiA (Cotton made in Africa) is a standard that focuses on strict criteria for cotton farming in Africa, emphasizing environmental protection and social responsibility. The goal is to improve the living and working conditions of small-scale cotton farmers while having a positive environmental impact. CmiA goes beyond traditional charity initiatives by activating trade and market mechanisms to create sustainable, long-term changes. But how does this work in practice?

CmiA in practice

In partnership with Dibella, Blycolin sources CmiA cotton through the ‘Mass Balance System’. This system allows for the blending of sustainable CmiA cotton with conventional cotton, much like how green energy is integrated into the electricity grid. Both sustainable and conventional cotton flow into the same production network.

Mass Balance System: a practical solution for high costs and operational challenges

The Mass Balance System offers a practical solution to the challenge of strictly separating sustainable and conventional cotton streams. By blending CmiA-certified cotton with conventional cotton, it avoids operational challenges and high costs. Companies are not burdened with the logistical complexities that come with completely segregating sustainable and conventional cotton flows.

Mass Balance System: bridging the gap between sustainable practices and operational practicality

The Mass Balance System bridges the gap between sustainable practices and operational practicality, allowing companies to offer more sustainable products. An example of this is the new production of Tzigana duvet covers and pillowcases. Through collaboration with our partner Dibella, Blycolin continues to innovate and develop more sustainable products.

Want to stay informed about these and other sustainable initiatives and innovations? Follow Blycolin on LinkedIn for regular updates on achieving a more sustainable textile supply chain.

Curious about the cotton supply chain? Check out this video from our partner Dibella!