Cotton Incorporated, funded by U.S. growers of upland cotton and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, is the research and marketing company representing upland cotton. The program is designed and operated to improve the demand for and profitability of cotton.
Cotton Works, formerly known as Cotton University, is a website created by Cotton Incorporated to help students and business professionals in the textile and apparel field. To better help serve professionals in the industry, Cotton Works offers information about the cotton supply chain, cotton agricultural research, product technology, merchandise math, and marketing strategies.
Cotton Works teamed up with UT ambassador, second year Textile and Apparel Design student Javier Uriegas. Javier was flown out to Raleigh, North Carolina to visit Cotton Incorporated to help students and professors become familiar with all that they have to offer.
While there, he was able to see first hand how information taught in TXA introductory courses are applied to the production of the cotton supply chain. One of the newest methods of dyeing technology that Javier was able to learn focuses on foam and bubbles. In this method, fabric is rolled into foam and dyed with bubbles. When they burst they cover the surface area of the fabric which reduces water waste. This new method is more efficient than standard dyeing methods. Cotton Works is still developing this technology since this cannot be mass produced and done on a wider scale just yet.
Getting involved in Cotton Works is free to students and teachers. Information available through Cotton Works will help improve academic growth and give students a competitive advantage in the industry in both merchandising and design.
Written by Jessica Teran
