The Quality Control Division of Cotton SA is primarily responsible for the grading and classifying the South African cotton crop. It is the only ICA-Bremen certified “laboratory of choice” for cotton testing in Africa (1 of only 13 certified laboratories worldwide). This certification represents credibility and competence recognition and provides a competitive advantage within the global cotton community. These attributes give the end-user the necessary confidence in choosing a certified laboratory, which is in line with the ICA Bylaws & Rules.
We participate in international check test programmes to maintain continuity and accuracy in the testing results. These programmes are compiled and controlled by the Cotton Division of the USDA and the Bremen Cotton Exchange.
Cotton SA’s Quality Control Division uses High Volume Instrument (HVI) systems for cotton fibre testing. These fibre testing instruments enable quick and objective measurement of fibre quality characteristics of cotton, using a standardised language worldwide to describe these quality characteristics of the various fibre properties of cotton. This is commonly referred to as “HVI Testing”. The principle of the bale for bale testing is applied in South Africa, enabling bale for bale selection. The HVI can accurately measure various fibre properties as upper half mean length, length uniformity index, strength, micronaire (fineness and maturity), colour reflectance (Rd), and colour yellowness (+b). It also provides information on the leaf code and percentage area trash, short fibre index and maturity index.
Cotton is tested to determine the grade, staple length, and quality, which indicate the spinning utility (Textile Value) and hence the market value of each bale. The optimum spinning utility can only be achieved if the spinner and/or buyer of the cotton have full knowledge of the complete quality profile of the cotton being bought. Having a complete quality profile received from the Quality Control Division for his cotton, the local cotton ginner can use this to sell his cotton to the spinner, who can then select and buy the cotton lint satisfying his production needs.
The Quality Control Division acts as a source of information for results regarding the grading and classification of cotton lint. Information is provided on all types of cotton cultivated in South Africa, with special reference to the grade and quality thereof. We coordinate efforts to prevent lint contamination and improve the management of fibre quality throughout the value chain.
Other important functions are the arbitration of seed cotton and cotton lint disputes between buyer and seller and the compilation of seed cotton grading standards, which are revised annually.
Cotton SA presents grading and classification courses to ensure a uniform application of the grading standards in all production areas. The courses have different focus areas:
• Introduction to grading standards.
• Factors determining grade.
• The grading and classification system as applied by Cotton SA.
• Explanation of important measurable fibre properties.
• Introduction to the grading and classification of raw cotton (seed cotton).
• Introduction to high volume instrument testing.
• Minimum specifications applicable to grade and quality in the present grading systems.
The laboratory at Cotton SA provides a textile testing service to determine the quality of the fabrics according to SABS and ISO standards. In determining the quality of a pure cotton or blended cotton product, the following attributes are tested:
• Colour fastness to light.
• Colour fastness to washing in domestic washing.
• Colour fastness to perspiration.
• Mass per square unit area (cotton content).
• Dimensional stability on washing and drying procedures.
• Fibre composition.
These tests are required for the use of, amongst other, the quality Cotton Marks.
COTTON GRADING & CLASSIFICATION
The Quality Control Division of Cotton SA is primarily responsible for the grading and classifying the South African cotton crop. It is the only ICA-Bremen certified “laboratory of choice” for cotton testing in Africa (1 of only 13 certified laboratories worldwide). This certification represents credibility and competence recognition and provides a competitive advantage within the global cotton community. These attributes give the end-user the necessary confidence in choosing a certified laboratory, which is in line with the ICA Bylaws & Rules.
We participate in international check test programmes to maintain continuity and accuracy in the testing results. These programmes are compiled and controlled by the Cotton Division of the USDA and the Bremen Cotton Exchange.
Cotton SA’s Quality Control Division uses High Volume Instrument (HVI) systems for cotton fibre testing. These fibre testing instruments enable quick and objective measurement of fibre quality characteristics of cotton, using a standardised language worldwide to describe these quality characteristics of the various fibre properties of cotton. This is commonly referred to as “HVI Testing”. The principle of the bale for bale testing is applied in South Africa, enabling bale for bale selection. The HVI can accurately measure various fibre properties as upper half mean length, length uniformity index, strength, micronaire (fineness and maturity), colour reflectance (Rd), and colour yellowness (+b). It also provides information on the leaf code and percentage area trash, short fibre index and maturity index.
Cotton is tested to determine the grade, staple length, and quality, which indicate the spinning utility (Textile Value) and hence the market value of each bale. The optimum spinning utility can only be achieved if the spinner and/or buyer of the cotton have full knowledge of the complete quality profile of the cotton being bought. Having a complete quality profile received from the Quality Control Division for his cotton, the local cotton ginner can use this to sell his cotton to the spinner, who can then select and buy the cotton lint satisfying his production needs.
The Quality Control Division acts as a source of information for results regarding the grading and classification of cotton lint. Information is provided on all types of cotton cultivated in South Africa, with special reference to the grade and quality thereof. We coordinate efforts to prevent lint contamination and improve the management of fibre quality throughout the value chain.
Other important functions are the arbitration of seed cotton and cotton lint disputes between buyer and seller and the compilation of seed cotton grading standards, which are revised annually.
Cotton SA presents grading and classification courses to ensure a uniform application of the grading standards in all production areas. The courses have different focus areas:
- Introduction to grading standards.
• Factors determining grade.
• The grading and classification system as applied by Cotton SA.
• Explanation of important measurable fibre properties.
• Introduction to the grading and classification of raw cotton (seed cotton).
• Introduction to high volume instrument testing.
• Minimum specifications applicable to grade and quality in the present grading systems.
The laboratory at Cotton SA provides a textile testing service to determine the quality of the fabrics according to SABS and ISO standards. In determining the quality of a pure cotton or blended cotton product, the following attributes are tested:
• Colour fastness to light.
• Colour fastness to washing in domestic washing.
• Colour fastness to perspiration.
• Mass per square unit area (cotton content).
• Dimensional stability on washing and drying procedures.
• Fibre composition.
These tests are required for the use of, amongst other, the quality Cotton Marks.