Una platform across the entire cotton supply chain
Cotton is the most used raw material in Inditex. In the 2023 summer and winter campaigns, 277,000 tons of cotton were employed, making up 43% of all inputs and far surpassing the next material, polyester, at about 166,000 tons. The company emphasizes its aim to design products that endure and can be recycled at the end of their life. Designers and commercial teams are trained in sustainability criteria, and there is ongoing promotion of materials that lower biodiversity impact, reduce land use, conserve water, and limit greenhouse gas emissions. The latest annual report highlights the use of organic cotton grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and without seeds modified genetically.
Inditex positions itself as a leader in sustainability by investing in cotton that checks these environmental benefits while maintaining product performance and style.
Building a platform for the entire chain
Beyond being a founding member of Organic Cotton Accelerator, Inditex supports farmers from cultivation to market access. The initiative also includes a role in Better Cotton, alongside other global fashion names, environmental groups, and various institutions. This nonprofit macro-platform brings together the entire supply chain to train farming communities in best practices and to ensure product traceability from field to store shelves.
The company describes this as the world’s largest sustainable cotton program. However, scrutiny arose when Earthsight published a 2023 report alleging serious practices by two Brazilian cotton producers under Better Cotton standards, located in Bahia, Brazil. The document raised questions about compliance and the potential impact on provenance and certification. The organization cited concerns about the alignment of these farms with widely accepted industry standards, sparking industry-wide attention and debate about supply chain integrity.
Responding to concerns and seeking transparency
Leaders within Inditex emphasize that any reported issues are of grave consequence because they touch the trust customers place in the brand. The company has called for transparency, urging for urgent disclosure of audit results, the identity of external auditors, and the conclusions reached. The aim is to determine whether any certification or procurement policy needs revision in light of new evidence. The dialogue is framed as a path toward stronger control over origin and production conditions in Brazil and a re-evaluation of participation in certain cotton standards if necessary.
The broader debate touches on corporate responsibility and the need for rigorous oversight across global supply chains. The discussions have spurred renewed attention to how sustainability programs are implemented on the ground and how third-party audits verify progress. Industry experts note that effective traceability and clear accountability are essential to maintaining consumer confidence and to driving genuine improvements in farming communities.
Public subsidies and industry-wide initiatives
Separately, a major biodiversity foundation tied to government environmental agencies has launched a fresh funding call worth 97.5 million euros to advance circular economy initiatives in the textile, fashion, clothing, and footwear sectors. The grant supports projects with awards ranging from 100,000 euros to tens of millions, with applications extended to a mid-year deadline and project completion mandated by mid-2027. These subsidies aim to accelerate innovative approaches that reduce waste, promote reuse and recycling, and foster sustainable product design across the sector. The emphasis is on tangible outcomes that can be scaled and adopted across the supply chain, driving systemic change in the European textile landscape.
Overall, the industry is watching closely how major brands balance ambitious sustainability targets with the realities of supply chain complexity. The ongoing conversation around certification integrity, farmer support, and responsible sourcing remains central to building lasting confidence with consumers and partners alike.
Source attributions: Earthsight report, Better Cotton standards documentation, Organic Cotton Accelerator involvement, industry sustainability disclosures, and European biodiversity funding announcements. (Earthsight, 2023) (Better Cotton Initiative, 2023) (Organic Cotton Accelerator, 2023) (Evergreen Biodiversity Foundation, 2024).