(AGENPARL) – Thu 06 November 2025 THE FIRST TANGIBLE RESULTS OF THE APULIA REGENERATIVE COTTON PROJECT
Milan, 6 November 2025 – Launched in June 2023 in collaboration with the Sustainable Markets
Initiative Fashion Task Force and the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, and coordinated by the
European Forest Institute (EFI) together with the Council for Agricultural Research and
Economics of Italy (CREA) and PRETATERRA, the Apulia Regenerative Cotton Project 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.
Two years on, the project has already produced its first tangible results, marking an important step
forward towards regenerative fashion and achieving its goals of regenerating soil, water and
biodiversity.
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, published in leading
international journals such as Agroforestry Systems, Journal of Environmental Management and
Plants, following peer review by independent scientists. 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.
The finished product
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.
Available in white and blue with the Giorgio Armani’s signature embroidered in the same colour, the
men’s T-shirts are on sale in selected Giorgio Armani boutiques in Europe (excluding the United
Kingdom and Switzerland) and online in the same areas from July. The specially designed packaging
is also made from recycled material.
For further information,
About the Armani Group
Founded in 1975 by Giorgio Armani, the Armani Group is among the world’s leading fashion and
luxury companies. The Group designs, manufactures, distributes and directly retails fashion and
lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, cosmetics,
fragrances, furniture and home décor, and operates in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors.
http://www.armanivalues.com
About the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI)
In his former role as The Prince of Wales, His Majesty King Charles III launched the Sustainable
Markets Initiative (SMI) in January 2020. The Sustainable Markets Initiative is a network of global
CEOs working together to build prosperous and sustainable economies that generate long-term
value through the balanced integration of natural, social, human and financial capital. In 2021, the
SMI also launched its Terra Carta, which provides a roadmap for acceleration towards an ambitious
and sustainable future; one that harnesses the power of nature and transformative action, alongside
private-sector innovation and resources.
https://www.sustainable-markets.org
About the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (BCA)
The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance was established in 2020 by His Majesty King Charles III (formerly
The Prince of Wales) to connect the dots between finance, companies operating within biobased
value chains and action on the ground to restore land, enhance biodiversity and provide jobs and
prosperity to local and indigenous communities. Members include intergovernmental organisations,
companies, investors, research organisations and NGOs that provide expertise and implement
projects in areas related to the circular bioeconomy.

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About the European Forest Institute (EFI)
The European Forest Institute is a pan-European international organisation that conducts scientific
research and provides policy support on forest-related issues. EFI has 30 Member Countries and
approximately 130 member organisations from 40 different nations, active across diverse research
fields. With more than 25 years of experience in coordinating complex transnational forest-related
scientific projects funded by the European Commission and Member States, EFI leads the
experimental design, overall coordination and management of the project, and communication with
the donor.
https://efi.int
About the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics of Italy (CREA)
The Council for Agricultural Research and Economics of Italy is organised into 12 Research Centres
located throughout the country. CREA-AA (Centre for Agriculture and Environment) conducts
studies and research focused on the characterisation, sustainable management and spatiotemporal modelling of agricultural and forestry ecosystems through an inter- and multidisciplinary
approach. The CREA-AA unit based in Bari (Apulia), which owns five experimental farms, is the
consortium’s implementing partner. CREA-AA is responsible for the implementation, monitoring and
scientific assessment of the experimental sites across the five hectares of the “M.E. Venezian
Experimental Farm” in Rutigliano.
http://www.crea.gov.it
About PRETATERRA
PRETATERRA develops and implements regenerative and replicable agroforestry systems,
combining scientific data, ancestral empirical knowledge and traditional wisdom with technological
innovation. PRETATERRA contributes to the co-design of the agroforestry cotton experimental sites
and the regenerative practices being tested.
https://pretaterra.com/