Exclusive Interview by K. Gopalakrishnan, Pics by Manikandan
At ITMA ASIA 2025, Cotton Council International (CCI)—the global advocate for U.S. Cotton fiber—reaffirmed its strategic commitment to the Indian and South Asian textile industry.
Represented by Mr. Joerg Bauersachs, Head of CCI Technical Services, and Mr. Peush Narang, CCI Program Representative for India and Sri Lanka, the organization highlighted its growing portfolio of mill-oriented solutions, sustainability frameworks, and data-driven performance tools designed to support mill competitiveness in a challenging global landscape. As footfall increased steadily through the early days of the show, CCI’s booth emerged as a hub for long-standing partners, mill leaders, and new participants eager to explore CCI’s evolving capabilities.
As Mr. Bauersachs observed, CCI’s role today extends far beyond promoting U.S. Cotton; it is about providing solutions that enhance mill performance, operational efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Their flagship program, COTTON USA SOLUTIONS®, delivers a suite of technical support offerings that includes:
- One-on-one mill consultations
- In-depth mill surveys
- Process optimization guidance
- Benchmarking through the Mill Performance Index (MPI)
“Our mission is guidance, not commerce,” Mr. Bauersachs remarked, underscoring that CCI’s services are neutral, advisory, and built to strengthen mills’ operating fundamentals irrespective of their sourcing volumes.
Indian Mills Respond Strongly to CCI’s Programs
India remains one of CCI’s most important markets globally, both in scale and technical maturity. Mr. Narang highlighted that almost all major Indian users of U.S. Cotton visited the booth, reflecting the strong engagement CCI has built over the past six years.
A key attraction this year was the Mill Performance Index (MPI)—a country-level benchmarking program that enables Indian mills to anonymously compare their performance with peers in India and across the world.
“The response has been overwhelming,” Mr. Narang shared. “Many of the largest U.S. Cotton users in India are already part of the MPI, and numerous new mills have shown interest. This will keep us busy for months.”
U.S. Cotton’s Position in India: Supima Leads the Way
India is the largest global user of Supima cotton, the extra-long staple (ELS) premium fiber known for its superior strength, softness, and durability.
“Mills just love Supima,” Mr. Bauersachs said. “Ask anyone—they know the difference.”
While India produces its own upland cotton, U.S. upland fiber continues to gain traction due to quality consistency, contamination-free preparation, and the growing demand for traceability. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a science-based sustainability and traceability program, has played a pivotal role in accelerating adoption among mills responding to brand and retailer expectations.
The Mill Performance Index: A Data-Driven Breakthrough for Spinning Excellence
One of the highlights at the show was CCI’s demonstration of the MPI digital dashboard, a powerful benchmarking tool featuring five mill-level KPIs:
- Machine Productivity
- Labor Productivity
- Material Yield
- Machine Efficiency
- Energy Consumption
The MPI interface provides both high-level rankings and deep drill-down views, allowing mills to compare:
- Their own performance
- Best-in-class performers locally
- Global benchmarks
A multi-level breakdown allows mills to examine specific parameters such as end-breaks, spindle speed, compact spinning efficiencies, and shift-level outputs.
“Every mill wants to know: where do we stand, and how can we improve?” Mr. Bauersachs explained. “MPI provides that clarity—and our experts help mills turn the insights into action.”
The platform is complemented by Meet the Expert sessions, where CCI technical specialists visit mills to interpret findings and recommend improvement measures.
A Challenging Period for Global Textiles, but Signs of Recovery Emerge
Reflecting on the past years, Mr. Bauersachs acknowledged the unprecedented downturn faced by global spinning industries, from overcapacity in Turkey to demand contraction worldwide.
“It’s been a difficult stretch,” he noted. “But we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.”
In India especially, sentiment appears to be improving. Mills are more optimistic, orders are stabilizing, and investment discussions are resurfacing, driven in part by sustainability-linked sourcing and the push for higher-quality output.
India’s Strategic Relevance Will Continue to Grow
With its robust spinning capacity, skilled workforce, and increasing integration into global supply chains, India remains central to CCI’s long-term engagement strategy. Programs like MPI, the Trust Protocol, and Cotton USA Solutions reinforce CCI’s commitment to supporting the operational and competitive transformation of Indian mills.
As global trade flows evolve and brands intensify demands for transparency and sustainability, CCI and the Trust Protocol provide tools and advisory services to mills and a reliable foundation for growth.
Cotton Council International’s presence at ITMA ASIA 2025 reflects its expanding role as a technical partner and performance enabler for the global textile industry. U.S. Cotton offers India, already a powerhouse in spinning, a unique combination of benchmarking, consulting, and sustainability alignment that strengthens mill competitiveness in a rapidly changing environment. With rising adoption of the Mill Performance Index, increasing demand for U.S. Cotton’s traceability credentials, and signs of renewed industry momentum, CCI and the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol stand poised to support Indian mills in delivering higher-quality, more sustainable, and globally benchmarked textile products for the future.
