Cotton and Technology: A Discussion with Mike Rodriguez, Textile Technologist

Listen to apparel expert Jaclyn Noble discussing the environmental and business benefits of using cotton in today’s clothing. She has held senior positions with Spanx, Gloria Jeans, VF, and American Eagle, to name a few. However, her career began with hands-on experience using cotton on the mill floor. For Ms. Noble, industry metrics, transparency, and sound growing practices by farmers form the foundation of industry efforts to embrace sustainable business goals. Using cotton, says Ms. Noble, makes more sense than ever for today’s brands and retailers. This is a fascinating, not-to-be-missed discussion with an experienced global apparel expert. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Listen to Liza Schillo, Director of Sustainability & Social Impact with Perfect Day, and former Senior Manager of Global Product Sustainability with Levi Strauss, as she discusses the challenges faced by the apparel and cotton industries in adopting ESG and environmental sustainability goals. For Ms. Schillo, industry metrics, transparency, and a commitment to the future underscore industry efforts to embrace sustainable business practices. This is an important, wide-ranging discussion with a leading sustainability expert and advocate. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Hear about how Pheasants and Quail Forever helps farmers incorporate biodiversity into their sustainability and environmental conservation efforts. Brent Rudolph, Director of Sustainability Partnerships, and Josh Michna, Precision Agriculture Conservation Specialist, discuss the wide-ranging benefits that come with protecting and improving biodiversity. As they explain, with more diversity – especially of native plants and insects – there are better conditions for wildlife. The diversity helps meet the different needs for escape cover, nesting habitat, food sources, and so forth. Next, a diverse community of insects will usually include beneficial species that can help control pests that can be problematic for crops or livestock. This is an important program not to be missed for all those passionate about sustainable agriculture. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Hear about some exciting technologies to improve the performance of cotton from Graham Stewart, Executive Vice President at Fiber52 — a company that has developed an innovative prepare for dye (PFD) process that leverages the natural moisture-wicking characteristics of cotton. Using natural techniques, Fiber52’s simplified PFD process enhances cotton’s naturally hydrophobic (wicking) qualities. At the same time, says Mr. Stewart, the Fiber52 process utilizes less water in the dye process while also improving the efficiency of dyeing. Further, Mr. Stewart explains that Fiber52 helps cotton to better compete with synthetic fibers by improving its performance at the textile mill. This is an intriguing program presenting an innovative new technology that promises to enhance the desirability of cotton. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Hear from Marshall Hardwick, a leading cotton grower, about the challenges faced by farmers to produce quality, sustainable crops. Our fascinating discussion covers what it means to be sustainable, as well as ways in which farmers and apparel brands can find ways of working together. For Mr. Hardwick, measurable business practices, transparency, and a commitment to the future underscores the central tenets successful cotton farming today. This is an enlightening program with one of the country’s most innovative growers. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Hear from a leading expert in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR), David Uricoli, CSR Consultant, as we discuss how manufacturers, brands and retailers look to transparency and accountability in their supply chains. For Mr. Uricoli, many brands have learned the hard way over the years that CSR is a required approach to business where worker rights, sustainable production, and transparency are upheld and nurtured. In this enlightening program, we discuss not only discuss the importance of sustainability, but how CSR became so important for so many companies in the clothing industry and how CSR will become even more important in the future. This is a fascinating program with one of the leading CSR specialists in the world. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Hear from a leading engineer, Mike Rodriguez, Textile Engineering Consultant, as we discuss many of the latest innovations in the cotton and textile industries. For Mr. Rodriguez, it’s an exciting time to be in textiles as there’s so much change and opportunity while at the same time new innovations have helped cotton to maintain its status as a preferred fiber for textile mills globally. In this important program, we also discuss the importance of sustainability, and the role new technologies play in realizing sustainability goals in the industry. This is a fascinating program with one of the leading textile technologists in the world. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Hear from leading sustainability expert, Jessica Monserrate, PhD, Head of Sustainability North America for BASF as we discuss what’s necessary to define success in sustainability. For Ms. Monserrate, success is defined as applying scientific and real-world innovation to solving the challenging problems facing farmers today as they adopt sound sustainability practices. With more than ten years’ experience in R&D, Ms. Monserrate explains how metrics can be developed and strategies adopted by farmers committed to environmental stewardship. In this important program, we also define sustainability, outline proactive steps that the cotton industry can take to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, and how BASF works to support industry sustainability initiatives. This is a fascinating program with one of the leading agricultural sustainability experts in the world. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Listen to Mr. Neeper as he discusses many of the challenges facing U.S. cotton growers as a new harvest gains momentum. He also focuses on the problems faced by farmers and textile mills as retailers struggle with considerable inventory and weakening consumer demand which, in turn, has resulted in slower sales of textiles throughout the supply chain. Our lively program also discusses the competitive challenges faced by cotton from synthetic fibers, as well as the impact of global market conditions, and the outlook for cotton as a quality product for apparel brands and retailers. This is a fascinating program with one of the leading cotton analysts in the world. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.

Join us for a terrific program this week as we discuss made-in-america, sustainability, the economy, and changing consumer attitude with Pat Stewart, President of The General Standard (thegeneralstandard.com), a Los Angeles-based apparel company. In this podcast, we cover a wide range of topics including what Mr. Stewart sees as the major challenges facing the apparel industry as it grapples with sustainability and a challenging economy. Additionally, we ask Mr. Stewart if he feels made in America has advantages in sustainable production due to shorter supply chains compared to carbon-intensive global supply chains employed by much of the apparel industry today. This podcast is not to be missed. So, join us to learn more about sustainability and made in America. Hosted by Ray Daniels of BASF, and interviewed by Bob Antoshak, Gherzi Textile Organization.