Interloop Kapas project certified for cotton sustainability efforts

The certification for the Interloop Kapas project was conferred by Control Union Sri Lanka after a three-year-long collaborative effort with 1,000 farmer partners.

The Organic Kapas project spans 5,090 acres and has produced 7,000 bales of organic cotton.

This initiative is said to not only foster environmental stewardship but also strengthen the socio-economic fabric by equipping local farmers with the requisite skills and digital tools to augment farm productivity and soil vitality while ensuring access to high-value markets.

Interloop chief executive officer Navid Fazil explained: "This certification validates our approach to building resilient, transparent supply chains, where our farmers thrive amid shifting global standards.”

The Interloop Organic Kapas (ILOK) Project started with the goal of enhancing both farmer wellbeing and environmental sustainability. It focuses on advancing the availability and digital traceability of organic cotton while also developing the skills of female cotton pickers in optimal harvesting techniques to reduce contamination.

The latest certification follows after the project secured InConversion Organic cotton (IC1) certification from Control Union Sri Lanka in 2023. This certification ensures that the integrity of the organic material is preserved from its origin at the farm right through to the final product by conducting thorough audits at each stage of the supply chain.

Looking ahead, Interloop has set a target for 2025 to source 70% of its materials from sustainable origins.

The company's portfolio of sustainable materials encompasses BCI cotton, organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and recycled nylon. Additionally, Interloop has committed to Textile Exchange's challenge to achieve 100% sustainable cotton sourcing by 2025.

Interloop’s Looptrace is a traceability platform developed in-house that monitors the activities of 42,000 farmers to provide transparency throughout the supply chain. It was launched in September 2021.

The Loopkisan is an advanced agricultural management application, initially trialled with 15 organic farmers, which facilitates direct data entry and provides instantaneous insights into farming methodologies. When integrated with Looptrace, it improves transparency.

Furthering its commitment to community development, Interloop has inaugurated its third mobile health clinic in Punjab. This initiative has impacted over 35,000 individuals so far, with an emphasis on improving healthcare services for women and children within rural agricultural communities.

Story Continues