Ventile Boosts Egyptian Cotton Farmers’ Transition to Regenerative Practices
U.K.-founded performance textile firm Ventile is deepening its partnership with organic and regenerative farming group Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) to help farms in the Nile Delta transition to regenerative practices.
As a part of its strategy to transition to sourcing from sustainable agricultural sources, the fabrics supplier, which is now based in Switzerland, is supporting the transformation of farms Ventile identified in collaboration with EBDA. The operations will benefit from the farming group’s expert training, regulatory guidance and farming material support, helping them convert their conventionally operated farms to biodynamic operations.
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The project will help Salsol Farm and Ramadan Kamel Farm develop an expertise and proficiency in cultivating ethical and regenerative organic cotton for use in textile production, the groups said. Farmers will soon undergo training sessions and consultation visits with EBDA agricultural engineers, and the program has already delivered workshops on new techniques, biodynamic fertilization and pest control in its first phase.
“After six months of hard work, we are thrilled to finally announce the details of the farms that are receiving our support as they transform into biodynamic cotton farming,” Ventile brand director Daniel Odermatt said, noting that just 0.04 percent of the world’s cotton is currently classified as extra-long-staple organic. “If we want to keep building towards a more sustainable industry, we must invest in environmentally friendly sources—from the farmers’ wellbeing to maintaining the long-term fertility of soil and minimizing the pollution impact.”
To promote biodiversity both farms cultivate crops other than organic cotton, including rice, beetroot, maize, wheat, artichokes and sunflowers. Since connecting with EBDA in 2021, Salsol and Ramadan Kamel have generated a collective 380.83 carbon credits, produced 390 tons of verified compost and planted 57 trees, according to their first inspection, validation and verification.
With Ventile’s backing, those numbers are expected to grow. “Ventile’s ongoing support allows us to invest in the capacity-building of regenerative agriculture farmers, facilitating the conversion of their land into self-sustaining farms using biodynamic principles,” EBDA co-executive director Justus Harm said.
Announced this spring, the partnership between EBDA and Ventile, which celebrated 80 years in business in 2023, aims to help the farming association’s 2,380 members convert to regenerative practices. Doing so will also help them compete globally where organic cotton is seeing increased demand, EBDA said in April.
Ventile, which was founded in the U.K. in the late 1930s and supplied fabrications for uniforms for the British armed forces, became a key manufacturer of performance textiles for mountaineers and adventurers during the 20th century. The company began producing textiles in Switzerland in the 1980s, and was acquired by Zurich-based Stotz & Co. in 2017.
In recent years, Ventile has partnered with brands like Mover Sportswear and Dr. Martens on special projects like performance outerwear and weatherproof footwear. The company committed to eliminating PFAS-based durable water repellent (DWR) finishes in 2021, working with scientists, textile experts and dye houses to develop an alternative made from 63 percent renewably sourced, plant-based content.
