Vicunha sees a fruitful future in regenerative cotton.
It’s Brazil’s first denim mill to use regenerative cotton, working with Scheffer, a national leader in regenerative cotton production to support the sustainable fiber.
The denim producer launched its first regenerative cotton offerings last month at Kingpins Amsterdam. The Pacito is a 100 percent regenerative cotton fabric, and Letizia adds 2 percent elastane into a regen cotton fabric. Vicunha said the launches are scheduled to arrive in Brazil in the second half of the year.
The mill, responsible for 40 percent of Brazil’s denim fabric production, per industry estimates, describes the partnership with Scheffer as a milestone for the Brazilian textile industry and shows how companies committed to environmental preservation can contribute to sustainable economic development. Regenerative agriculture reduces chemical usage, contributes to soil health, and promotes biodiversity. Scheffer’s regenerative cotton is grown in an irrigation-free rain-fed system, reducing textile production’s water footprint.
“Regenerative cotton is gaining strength as a sustainable alternative for large-scale production,” said Dawid Wajs, Vicunha supply chain director. “We are anticipating the demands of the most demanding markets and remaining committed to continuously reducing our impact on the environment, leading positive initiatives in the industry.”
Scheffer has over 35 years of experience in the production of grains and fibers. Based in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil, it has nine production units in Brazil and Colombia. In 2015, it started using regenerative practices, and in 2020 became the first Brazilian company certified with the RegenAgri seal for using regenerative practices in large-scale production. The company’s goal is to fully transition cotton production to regenerative methods by 2030.
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“The experience acquired over the years allows us to continue improving and innovating,” said Guilherme Scheffer, Scheffer’s managing partner. “With regenerative agriculture, we can produce more sustainably, while maintaining productivity, quality, and scale. In addition, we guarantee the traceability of our regenerative cotton, meeting the standards and demand of the consumer market and [the planet].”
He went on to say, “All of this adds to Vicunha’s commitments and objectives towards an increasingly sustainable fashion.”
Using regenerative cotton is one of several ways Vicunha is working toward “sustainable production of the most democratic item in the wardrobe.”
The mill’s Fall/Winter 2024-2025 collection includes fabrics made with pre-consumer cotton that has been recovered from Vicunha’s production process and fabrics made from recycled yarn that require no dyeing, resulting in up to 90 percent reduction in water consumption and chemical usage.