NEW YORK CITY — January 25, 2011 — The Aid by Trade Foundation further expands the Demand Alliance
for its Cotton made in Africa initiative to the USA: Anvil is the first North American apparel
manufacturer to join. The additional demand from this textile company for sustainably produced
cotton will significantly help grow the program.
The Cotton made in Africa Demand Alliance continues to grow. With Anvil the network gains a
further textile manufacturer that places a very high priority on corporate responsibility. Anthony
Corsano, Chief Executive Officer of Anvil Knitwear explains the deepening of the company’s
sustainability strategy: “Cotton made in Africa is another source of sustainable fiber for Anvil.
It is rain fed, utilizes principles of soil conservation, reduces pesticides, and incorporates
important ILO labor principles. We also hope our purchases help African smallholder farmers improve
their own living standards.” Headquartered in New York, Anvil Knitwear produces sportswear and
accessories under the Anvil® brand and for major private label brands. Anvil has earned its
reputation in the textile sector as a transparent sustainability pioneer, marketing its sustainable
projects through its AnvilOrganic® and AnvilSustainable® collections.
Cotton made in Africa works in five African countries to help local smallholder cotton
farmers help themselves through trade. On the one hand the initiative supports cotton farmers
on-site with training and community projects; on the other, the initiative continues to build its
Demand Alliance of international textile companies that take up sustainably produced cotton and
process it further for the global market. The Alliance currently includes over twenty major textile
companies.
Posted on February 8, 2011
Source: The Aid by Trade Foundation
