The report reveals that two-thirds of fashion brands provide little to no transparency regarding the raw materials they use. Only 29 brands disclose the amount of cotton they source, and just 25 publish a full materials breakdown. Meanwhile, the use of synthetic fibers—particularly polyester, polyamide, and acrylic—is on the rise.
A notable finding is that fast-fashion company Shein uses 82% synthetic materials in its collections. In contrast, 31 companies process more than 50% cotton, but often this cotton is uncertified. Only 17 brands report that more than half of their cotton is sustainably certified.
According to the researchers, this trend increases dependence on fossil-based materials, whereas investment in sustainable cotton could contribute to lower emissions and improved conditions for farmers. The organizations behind the report call on fashion brands to enhance transparency and make long-term investments in sustainable natural fibers.
Source: Textilia
Translated with AI
Cotton Rankings 2025: fashion industry lags in sustainable cotton, synthetic fibers on the rise
The fashion industry is not making sufficient use of sustainable cotton and is increasingly shifting towards synthetic fibers. This is highlighted in the recently published Cotton Rankings 2025 by Solidaridad and Good On You, which analyzed the sourcing practices of the 100 largest fashion brands worldwide.
