Member Spotlight: Calyx Cotton pioneers sustainable textile production in the UK
10/12/2024
UKFT member Calyx Cotton presents an alternative to conventional field-grown cotton, focussing on reducing water consumption and reliance on chemical inputs, ensuring the production is circular and traceable, whilst maintaining high-quality cotton.
Scroll down to read more about what Calyx Cotton does to be more sustainable in cotton farming.
Based in the south of England, Calyx Cotton tackles the environmental challenges of cotton production by taking a sustainable approach, prioritising people and planet.
Traditional cotton production is one of the most water-intensive crops globally, consuming an average of 10,000 litres to produce a single kilogram of fibre. Calyx Cotton employs advanced, closed-loop greenhouse systems that require 97% less water, resulting in a total water usage of c415 litres per kilogram. This reduction has been achieved through a combination of precision irrigation, humidity control and water recapture techniques, in which establishing a new standard for sustainable cotton production.
The average t-shirt uses 2,700 litres of water, versus 83 litres with Calyx Cotton.
Calyx Cotton’s unique approach to cotton production presents environmental advantages that extend beyond water conservation. Conventional cotton farming heavily relies on pesticides and synthetic fertilisers, contributing to soil degradation and biodiversity loss. By cultivating its cotton within controlled environments, Calyx Cotton has eliminated the need for chemical inputs.
Paul Cackett, Co-Founder of Calyx Cotton says:
“Our approach allows us to cultivate high-quality fibre without the detrimental side effects typically associated with cotton production, it’s about proving that fashion and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive”
Cristyn Bevan, Co-Founder of Calyx Cotton, on the journey to create Calyx Cotton:
“Years of meticulous cultivation and greenhouse optimisation have culminated in the development of Calyx Cotton, a sustainable and consistently superior fibre. Our dedication to fine-tuning growing conditions, from selecting the right seed varieties to grow and ultimately breed from, to optimising our controlled climates, has enabled us to produce a cotton fibre that meets the highest quality standards”
Calyx Cotton is not just about reducing environmental impact, it is about fostering transparency and trust. Each fibre of Calyx Cotton can be traced back to the specific site where it was cultivated, allowing consumers to make conscious purchasing decisions.
Tackling the challenges of climate change and source scarcity, Calyx Cotton presents a scalable and circular solution:
“The future of cotton lies not in traditional farming practices but in innovative, controlled growing systems like ours. These systems enable us to minimise resource consumption and maximise quality season after season, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient cotton industry”
Calyx Cotton vs. Conventional Cotton
Water Efficiency: Calyx Cotton requires significantly less water compared to traditional cotton cultivation. It consumes approximately c415 litres per kilogram, whereas field-grown cotton consumes up to 10,000 litres per kilogram.
Pesticide Reduction: Calyx Cotton cultivation eliminates the need for pesticides, resulting in a zero-pesticide footprint. Traditional cotton farming, on the other hand, can use up to 1.8 kilograms of pesticides per hectare.
Traceability: Calyx Cotton offers unparalleled traceability, ensuring complete transparency from the growth site to the final fibre.
Discover Calyx Cotton online:
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