Chapter 1: Cotton Production in China
End users of cotton products may wonder where is cotton grown. The two top global producers of cotton are India and China, contributing to over 50 per cent of the world’s production. However, China is the world’s leader in processing cotton fibre for textile and other uses.
The majority of China’s cotton is grown in the Xinjiang province, the rest is produced in Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and the North China plain. The moisture condition across these provinces makes it possible for the cotton to thrive.
Cotton produced in these provinces is some of the best throughout the world. Cotton produced especially in the Xinjiang province follows the requirement of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). This initiative is insistent on not using chemicals in the growth of cotton.
According to the BCI, chemical pesticides are organic pollutants that are harmful to the environment and human health.
Other places where cotton is grown in the world are the United States, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Brazil and Turkey.
Chapter 2: The Process of Cotton Production in China
Now you know where cotton is grown, the next thing you should be aware of is how cotton is produced. Cotton is a natural fibre gotten from cotton plants.
The following are the processes involved in cotton production:
- After the cotton is fully mature and ready for harvesting, it can be done manually or with a harvesting machine. Cotton production primarily starts with this process.
- The next step is to clean the cotton fibre. This is done by separating the seed, dirt, lint and other impurities from the cotton fibre.
- After all, impurities are removed, the raw cotton is compressed and stored, ready to be shipped for further processing.
- The cleaned cotton fibre is then placed in a carding machine for further processing. The carding machine forms the short cotton fibres into a long untwisted rope that is ready for spinning and weaving.
Chapter 3: Uses of Cotton
Cotton is a versatile product used in a wide range of applications.
3.1, Cotton is a raw material for making clothes and garments. Examples of cotton garments are T-shirts, sportswear, undergarments, bath robes, towels, kitchen cloths, jeans, dresses, sweatshirts, socks, etc.
3.2, Cotton is used for home furnishing such as bedspreads, curtains, foot mats, rugs, upholstery, pillows, etc.
3.3, Cotton is used for medical and health care kits such as cotton rolls, bandages, cotton pads, earbuds, and so on.
3.4, Miscellaneous uses of cotton include diapers and wipes for babies, canvas for painting, and so on.
3.5, Further uses of cotton include shopping bags, promotional bags, fashion tote bags and drawstring bags.
Nowadays, it is common to find cotton canvas bags as shopping bags due to their durability. Cotton bags are reusable, environmentally friendly and cost-saving.
Cotton bags serve as promotional bags, especially for corporate establishments, small and large businesses, etc.
Cotton fabrics allow different customisation methods like screen printing, thermal transfer, sublimation, embroidery, etc. With these customisation methods, brand logos and names can be printed for promotional purposes.
Tote bags are handy and can serve as a fashion tote bag. With the fashion tote bag, you can run quick errands, visit the beach or hang out with friends.
Lastly, cotton drawstring bags are used for product packaging. For instance shoe, bag and purse manufacturers package quality shoes in cotton drawstring bags for different reasons. One is to prevent dust and moisture, the other is a means of brand promotion especially when the cotton drawstring bag is customised.
Chapter 4: Characteristics and Benefits of Cotton
Cotton has a number of characteristics that makes it the most popular fibre in the textile industry.
Durability- The cotton plant has a strong cellular structure, thereby creating wear-and-tear-resistant fabric.
Absorbency- Cotton fabric is a very absorbent fabric due to the space between the fibres. Due to its absorbent property, cotton can be dyed into many colours.
Breathability- The fibre structure of cotton makes it more breathable than synthetic fibres.
Softness- The cotton plant is soft and fluffy and results in a fabric with a soft and comfortable feel.
Cotton is hypoallergenic that is, it causes no irritation to the skin when worn.
Cotton requires low maintenance
Cotton is odour free.
Chapter 5: Types of Cotton
- Pima cotton- Pima cotton is considered to be the finest type of cotton in the world. Pima cotton fibres are soft and extra long. Pima cotton is resistant to fading, tearing and wrinkling.
- Egyptian cotton- Egyptian cotton is similar to Pima cotton. It has the same water-resistant property as the Pima cotton.
- Upland cotton- Upland cotton has short fibres and it makes up over 90% of the world’s cotton production.
- Organic cotton- Organic cotton is any type of cotton that is grown without chemicals and from seeds that are not genetically engineered.
Chapter 6: Conclusion
This article has explained where cotton is grown in China and other parts of the world. The article also highlighted the benefits of cotton throughout the world.
The benefits include the ability to retain moisture, breathability, hypoallergenic, durability, and so on.
Now that you know all that cotton has to offer, you may start including cotton or cotton-related materials in your daily activities in terms of clothing, shopping bags, sportswear, baby clothing, etc.
References
“What is cotton: Properties, How it’s Made and Where”- Sewport Support Team
“What is cotton? A complete Guide to the History, Characteristics, and Uses of Cotton”- MasterClass
“33 Uses of Cotton”- Aohana Tasnim Makhula
“Leading Cotton Producing Countries Worldwide in 2021/2022”- M. Shahbandeh
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