Swiss firm Uster takes closer look at cotton on World Cotton Day

Uster Technologies, the world’s leading provider of quality management solutions from fibre to fabric, is taking a closer look at cotton from all the different angles – the growers and traders, spinners, fashion addicts and even museum visitors – in celebration of World Cotton Day on October 7. Cotton can be precisely described with 14 quality characteristics – focusing on length, strength, fineness, colour, maturity, trash and moisture content of the fibre.

The value of cotton as a raw material depends on its quality. Key factors are long and uniform fibre length, optimal fineness for each application and high strength for precious fibres. Some cotton growers and traders rely on their years of experience to set the right price for a batch of cotton, but over half of world cotton production is classed objectively by High Volume Instruments (HVI) from Uster Technologies. The HVI provides the most accurate and repeatable test results for the efficient classification of cotton quality – and more than 3,300 units are installed in 70 countries.

For spinning mills, cotton purchasing accounts for more than 50 per cent of costs, so it’s critical to get it right. Sorting bales according to quality and end-use is best done on the basis of good data. Consistent data from HVI is the first step in successful production in spinning operations – in terms of both quality and cost, the company said in a press release.

Some of the costliest mistakes in yarn manufacturing arise from poor control of the raw material at bale mix before spinning preparation. But fibre testing is also essential during the spinning preparation stages, to minimize any negative financial impact of excess waste, unnecessary cuts, reworking, and customer claims. Another fibre measurement instrument is responsible for profitable production: Uster AFIS Pro 2 provides the essential data necessary for modern process optimisation techniques in the spinning mill, and best practice in process control.

“Uster is proud that the curators of the Übersee-Museum considered the HVI as part of cotton’s essential history. The Uster cotton classing instrument was selected as an exhibit and visitors have the opportunity to try their hand as a cotton tester to determine colour, length and price,” Uster said in a press release.

This year’s jubilee of Bremen Cotton Exchange played an important role in initiating the special exhibition. The Bremen Cotton Exchange has been shaping the global cotton trade through its competence, neutrality and authority for 150 years.

The first evidence of cotton use was found in India and Pakistan, and dates back to around 6,000 BC. That means cotton’s been keeping people dressed for over 8,000 years.

Cotton’s place in the world was even demonstrated during the recent pandemic times, when homeworking became a necessity for many. In that situation, the need for smart office wear was replaced by an increased emphasis on comfort in everyday clothing. This sparked a trend for ‘sofa to street’ apparel which is still here today. People clearly love the gentler touch of their cotton gear, and that has translated into a real fashion choice.

One apt description, first applied to Indian cotton was ‘Woven Wind’ – expressing the touch and feel of these fabrics. India was the foremost cotton processing country for hundreds of years, and it’s fitting that its traditions with the world’s favourite fibre still hold good today, the release added.