H&M reclaims title as world’s top organic cotton buyer

In 2013, 10.8 percent of the cotton used by H&M was certified organic. This may not seem like a lot, but it was enough to make the fashion giant the leading purchaser according to Textile Exchange’s Organic Cotton Market Report 2013. In the past, H&M led the ranking in 2010 and 2011 before slipping into second place in 2012.

« We are very proud of this achievement and we have set a clear goal to further increase our usage of certified organic cotton. This is part of our strategic target to use only more sustainable cotton by 2020, » explained Henrik Lampa, H&M’s environmental sustainability manager.

Lampa added that the company is also pioneering the use of recycled cotton and « Better Cotton, » which is grown in conditions that respect the local environment and improve the livelihood of growers and their communities. By the end of 2013, Better Cotton represented 5 percent of H&M’s total cotton use.

« We congratulate H&M on its continued impressive demonstration of leadership, » said Textile Exchange’s managing director LaRhea Pepper. « H&M is a wonderful example of a company making meaningful change in the textile industry. »

Also among the top buyers by volume in the latest Organic Cotton Market Report were C&A (in second place), Puma, Nike, Target and Williams-Sonoma, among other brands. Target also claimed second place in the ranking by growth on the previous year, behind the T-shirt brand Stanley and Stella.