Make Cotton Sustainable

NEWSLETTER / ORGANIC EXCHANGE

Organic Cotton Changing Lives in Turkey

Turkey is emerging as a country where organic cotton industry is flourishing and changing lives. For example, Sanko Textiles, based in Gaziantep is the largest organic cotton yarn and organic cotton fabric producer in the world. Sanko has been involved in organic cotton textiles for more than 10 years now. It has probably the most advanced and sophisticated spinning machines in the world!

Sanko has worked with world’s largest brands, hence promoting the importance of using organic cotton products and its benefits for the environment and human health. Sanko’s mission states “a brighter future takes every responsibility to improve the sustainability of the environment”. Their relationship with Mavideniz is bringing this vision to reality.

Turkey has seen a lot of development and investment in infrastructure, roads, city expansion and the encouragement of industry in the south west of Turkey in the last few years. According to Organic Exchange, life is certainly slower here but the enthusiasm for organic is inspiring.

Taking a break from Sanko, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey there is a fertile region called Izmir. Cotton has been grown here for centuries and it is recognized as producing some of the finest quality cotton in the world. Izmir is home to the family owned textile company Egedeniz.

Egedeniz is the first certified organic textile company in Turkey and sells organic cotton at most stages of processing, as fiber, yarns, knitted and woven fabrics, and final garments.

All Egedeniz’s organic cotton production is certified by Control Union which ensures that all agricultural practices are in accordance with European Union Regulations. In addition, all processes right up to the end product are in accordance with the rules of the Sustainable Textile Standards of Control Union and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards). Egedeniz follow the 3Q system through all stages; Social Quality, Product Quality and Service Quality.

To read the full story: Organic Exchange Monthly Farm Bulletin