Ventile names first biodynamic cotton project beneficiaries
Six months since announcing its joint venture with the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA), Switzerland-based technical textile developer Ventile has named the inaugural beneficiaries of their expert-led biodynamic farming training and support programme.
The two cotton farms, Salsol and Ramadan Kamel, are situated in the Nile Delta region of Lower Egypt. Each will undergo the transition from conventional farming methods to regenerative-grown, biodynamic cotton of the extra-long-staple variety required to produce Ventile fabrics over the next few years, it said.
EBDA and Ventile trainers have already facilitated workshops on biodynamic agricultural techniques, fertilisation and pest control during an earlier stage of the project, they continued.
“Sometimes it’s easy to forget that only 0.04% of the overall cotton produced worldwide is classified as extra-long-staple organic,” commented brand director, Daniel Odermatt.
“If we want to keep building towards a more sustainable industry, we must invest in environmentally friendly sources – from the farmers’ well-being to maintaining the long-term fertility of soil and minimising the pollution input.”
EBDA co-executive director, Justus Harm, added: “Ventile’s ongoing support allows us to invest in the capacity-building of regenerative agriculture farmers, facilitating the conversion of their land into self-sustaining farms using biodynamic principles.”
Established in the UK in 1943, Ventile is currently celebrating eighty years in business. Its densely structured fabrics are made from extra-long-staple cotton fibres and treated with a perfluorinated compound (PFC)-free durable water repellence (DWR) finish on either side.
Image: EBDA.
