#TruthAboutCotton is an awareness campaign created by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) to counter the lies and misunderstandings that have become so rampant in recent years. Many of these falsehoods about cotton have come to be accepted as facts by the uninformed media as well as those who seek to benefit from undermining the global cotton industry. #TruthAboutCotton uses statistics, research and verifiable facts to counter these falsehoods. Although it originated at the ICAC, #TruthAboutCotton is an initiative that belongs to everyone who works in the global cotton and textile industries. Cotton provides a livelihood for hundreds of millions of people around the world, from subsistence farmers to multinational retailers, and this initiative was created to support and defend them all against myths, misinformation, and outright lies. We encourage visitors to post their own cotton facts -- or disprove the myths they encounter to help create a library of information that everyone in the global cotton community can use to defend our natural fibre.

  • Synthetic

    Cotton’s chief competitor, synthetic fibres, are made from oil and are the cause of unsustainable microfibre pollution in the world's waterways.

  • Water

    Contrary to popular belief, cotton is not a thirsty crop. It's a xerophyte, so it thrives in dry, arid conditions where other crops can't grow.

  • Land Usage

    Talk about efficiency! Cotton occupies a mere 3% of the world's agricultural area -- yet it meets 27% of the world's textile needs.

  • Innovation

    Researchers around the world are working to give cotton similar properties to synthetic fibres — without the plastic pollution.

  • Consumer Preference

    The people have spoken: Cotton is indeed the fabric of our lives, and these are just a few of the reasons why it always will be.

  • Cotton Plant

    Cotton is a tough, hardy, flexible plant that is indeterminate in nature and can be grown all year long even in harsh conditions. 

  • Social Impact

    Hundreds of millions of people around the world depend on cotton to earn a living — especially in less developed countries.

  • Non-Fibre Uses

    Cotton is used to make a lot more than comfortable fabric! It produces food for people and livestock, and also can be used as a fertiliser.

  • Miscellaneous

    The cotton plant is so flexible, not all of its uses can be fit into categories. You'll find more #Truth about cotton here.

  • Organic

    Have you ever wondered, ‘What, exactly, is the difference between organic and conventional cotton?’ If so, you've come to the right place.

  • Pesticides

    Here are the facts about pesticide usage on cotton.