Cotton qualities
From Upland to Pima, measured lot by lot.
We trade cotton across a range of qualities for Mexico's textile industry. Every lot ships with its HVI report, so you can check length, strength, micronaire and color before you buy.
Staple length, side by side
Upland, on the left, has a shorter, curlier fiber for general and industrial yarns. Pima, on the right, is extra-long staple that spins finer, stronger yarn.
Extra-long staple
Pima
One of the finest cottons in the world. Fibers up to 38 mm spin softer, stronger yarn that takes dye well.
Ask about Pima →The base of most yarns
Upland
The world's most widely grown cotton. Lots across color grades and micronaire ranges, for general-use and industrial spinning.
Ask about Upland →
How to read an HVI report
Six numbers, one report.
Length
Longer fibers spin stronger, softer yarn.
0.90 – 1.25 inMicronaire
Fineness and maturity of the fiber. 3.8–4.4 suits most applications.
3.5 – 5.0Strength
Grams per tex. Higher strength makes more durable yarn.
24 – 32+ g/texColor grade
Whiteness and foreign matter, from 11, the best, to 51. Pima lots use their own scale.
11 – 51Uniformity
How consistent fiber length is across the sample.
77 – 85 %Trash
Foreign matter by area. It affects how clean the final product is.
% of areaBy end use
Which spec fits your production.
A starting point, not a rule. Our team can help you read the reports and pick the right cotton for your mill.
| End use | Length | Micronaire | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium apparel | ≥ 1.125 in | 3.8 – 4.2 | ≥ 30 g/tex |
| General use | ≥ 1.00 in | 4.0 – 4.5 | ≥ 27 g/tex |
| Industrial | ≥ 0.90 in | 4.2 – 5.0 | ≥ 24 g/tex |