ACG Denim Mill Creates Internet Store Featuring Sustainable, American-Made Denim Fabrics

LITTLEFIELD, TX – Purchasing environmentally friendly denim is just a mouse click away, according to American Cotton Growers (ACG) in Littlefield, Texas. The new internet store was created for manufacturers of apparel, home furnishings, crafts, and fabric retailers that need smaller volumes of fabrics. Known as SAFEDenim (Sustainable, American and Friendly to the Environment), the fabrics are manufactured by ACG, the world's only farmer-owned denim mill, and can be purchased at www.SAFEDenim.com, the company announced.

"The denim mill and its farmer-owners are focused on producing high quality denim fabrics with minimal impact on the environment," said Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) President and Chief Executive Officer Wallace L. Darneille. PCCA is the parent company of ACG.

"We can produce an average of 37 million yards of denim annually, every yard of which is spun, dyed and woven from the cotton our farmer-owners produce," Darneille said. "It is American-made denim literally created from field to fabric. Until now, ACG denim was available only to manufacturers who could meet our minimum volume requirements," Darneille added. "Today, our fabrics featuring the same quality and reliability are available via the Internet with virtually no minimum requirements."

Established in 1975, ACG is focused on the development and production of value-added, fashion denim fabrics for its customers. ACG also meets or exceeds all regulations administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.

"In all possible processes throughout the mill, we use the best available technology to apply the principles of reduce, re-use, recycle and avoid production of hazardous waste," Darneille said. "That stewardship carries all the way from the field to our fabric. For our farmer-owners, it is not just a fad; it is a multi-generational commitment to take care of the air, soil and water to ensure their children and grandchildren can farm the land."

ACG's web-based store allows customers to buy SAFEDenim direct from the source in 30-yard and 70-yard rolls for easy handling. Orders are shipped within two business days, and easy payment options help avoid delays.

"We offer a wide range of denim fabrics for apparel, home furnishings and crafts," said PCCA's Vice President of Fabric Sales and Product Development Jack Mathews. "Our customers can be assured of consistent, reliable quality and inventory at great wholesale prices." Custom-made denim apparel and accessories may be offered by ACG in the future.

SAFEDenim Fact Sheet

• PCCA is a farmer-owned cooperative headquartered in Lubbock, Texas. Founded in 1953, the cooperative annually markets more than 20 percent of the U.S. cotton crop.
• U.S. cotton production is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration.
• Today, U.S. cotton producers use 45 percent less water to grow cotton.
• Pesticide applications have been reduced by 50 percent in the past 20 years.
• U.S. cotton acreage in 1926 totaled 44 million acres which produced 18 million bales.
• In 2004, U.S. cotton acreage totaled 14 million acres which produced 23 million bales. Thus, an additional 30 million acres are available for food production, soil conservation and wildlife habitat.
• Sustainable agriculture is the ability of a farm to produce food and fiber indefinitely with minimal impact on the environment.