2009 - The International Year of Natural Fibers

By Brad Robb|March 13, 2009

It is tradition that the Chinese give each year a specific amulet. 2008 was the “Year of the Dog” and 2009 is the “Year of the Ox.” Luckily for cotton, 2009 has not been solely devoted to oxen – it has also been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Natural Fibers (IYNF). Because cotton is the world’s most abundant and dominant natural fiber, with over 20 million tons produced annually, 2009 will present many opportunities for cotton education and promotion to further endear consumers around the world to cotton!

Natural fibers play an incredible role in the U.S. and global economies, employing literally hundreds of millions of people and generating billions of dollars in income. “Cotton represents more than 80 percent of all natural fibers and that speaks volumes about the role cotton plays in the globally economy,” states Allen Terhaar, Executive Vice President of Cotton Council International (CCI).

Cotton Incorporated, CCI and IFCP

Cotton Incorporated has been both a financial and promotions partnering organization, supporting CCI’s overseas promotion efforts, for over two decades. These two organizations are also members of the International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP), which consists of 13 partnering countries who share ideas with the ultimate goal of promoting cotton as the world’s most natural, renewable and sustainable fiber to consumers within their respective countries.

One specific research effort, conducted by Cotton Incorporated, was a complete review of content labeling laws in over 150 countries. Findings from that review influenced the International Cotton Advisory Committee to amend their policy statement to encourage its 42 member countries to establish fiber content labeling laws. “Ensuring accuracy in clothing labels is the first step toward making sure consumers who prefer cotton get what they want,” explains Mark Messura, Executive Vice President, Global Product Supply Chain, Cotton Incorporated. CCI has also made the IYNF the theme for various promotional events around the world, including a major promotion in China where a series of “Natural World” marketing programs have been developed to tell cotton’s “natural story” and will be carried out over the next year.