From regenerative cotton to t-shirts
First tangible results from the Apulia Regenerative Cotton Project
The Apulia Regenerative Cotton Project (a CBA Living Lab 1.0) was created to develop an experimental regenerative cotton site to test and scientifically assess sustainable cotton production through the application of regenerative agroforestry techniques in Italy. It was launched in June 2023 in collaboration with the Sustainable Markets Initiative Fashion Task Force, the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance and the Armani Group, and coordinated by the European Forest Institute (EFI) together with the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics of Italy (CREA) and PRETATERRA.
Two years on, the project has already produced its first tangible results.
Sowing
Following the first cotton plantation with rows of peach trees on 1 hectare of land in 2023, cultivation was gradually expanded the following year, integrating poplar and pomegranate trees, and covering a total of 3 hectares (0.6 ha in agroforestry and 2.4 ha in monoculture). During the third year, cotton was sown alternately with rows of carob, fig and mulberry trees, totalling approximately 5.2 hectares (3.6 ha in agroforestry and 1.6 ha in monoculture). This expansion exceeded the initial five-year target of 5 hectares ahead of schedule.
Harvest
A total of 2,400 kg of regenerative cotton was harvested in the first year, and 3,000 kg in the second.
Scientific results
The experimental project has so far generated four scientific papers. The studies explore topics including sustainable cotton production, carbon accumulation in soil through agroforestry and the application of artificial intelligence to optimise irrigation and water conservation.
Value chain
Another key milestone was the creation of the first garment made entirely from regenerative cotton, so-called because it derives from crops grown using agroforestry systems and agricultural practices that promote biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration, while reducing emissions, chemical use and water consumption.
Approximately 1,000 T-shirts were produced with the cotton obtained from the first sowing. Made entirely from Regenagri-certified cotton, the T-shirts feature a QR code and digital passport to guarantee authenticity and traceability. Certification extends across the entire supply chain, ensuring full traceability of the product and its chain of custody. From cultivation and processing to weaving, manufacturing, packaging and sale, every supplier involved is audited to obtain Regenagri certification.
The project featured in the media in November 2025
Women’s Wear Daily
Vogue Business
Vogue Italia
Photos: Federica Livia – Frigobar Production
