A Sustainable Approach of Growing Extra Long Staple Cotton: Vertical Hydroponic Cultivation (VHC)

ELS cotton typically denotes a cotton fibre of extraordinary fibre length. Fabrics made of ELS cotton fibre are stronger, softer, and more durable and thus consider high-quality cotton products. However, because of environmental and climatic constrains, ELS can only be grown in specific areas; therefore, ELS and LS cotton account only for 3% of the global cotton production.

• Developing a vertical hydroponic cultivation method of ELS that overcomes environmental and climatic constrains of ELS farming
• A vertical farming approach consists of a host of devices to control the airflow, water flow, temperature and humidity, as well as a nano-bubble generator to deliver more oxygen and accelerate growth for the ELS cotton
• As the water used is recirculated and reused, this new farming method also reduces water consumption and saves around 90% of the water needed in soil-based farming

• With a significantly lower production cost at Euro 1 per pound of cotton while obtaining equivalent or better ELS cotton fibre qualities
• Obtaining higher yield per unit area or shorter growth cycle time than conventional ELS cotton farming in soil; increasing overall supply of ELS in the market
• Relieving soil erosion and water wastage in conventional cotton farming

• Silver Medal in the Special Edition 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days

• Extra-long staple cotton farming

• PCT/CN2022/072729
• 32021042826.6