What is Pima Cotton?

Category: General

Country: India

Suresh Balram, Bangalore

Pima Cotton is a type of cotton grown primarily in the United State's Southwest. It is considered to be one of the superior blends of cotton, and is extremely durable and absorbent. Pima cotton is named after the Pima Native Americans who first cultivated the plant in the US, but its origins date back to its cultivation in Egypt.

Egyptian cotton is the finest and superior cotton with a longer staple length used for making fine cotton yarns and fabrics.

Since Egyptian cotton was so desirable, the US decided to try growing a type of it in the Southwest, which is a somewhat similar climate to Egypt. The resultant cotton was a mix of Egyptian and other types of cotton. Pima cotton is a little shorter than Egyptian cotton and with a staple length of 34 mm + and belongs to ELS catergory (Extra Long Staple)

Pima cotton may also be marketed by the name Supima®, which is patented. While some products may say they contain pima cotton, they do not have to contain all pima cotton. The Supima® sign on a product guarantees the fabric is made completely from pima cotton.

Pima cotton has applications in a wide variety of products. It is used in towels, sheets, and clothing. Pima cotton in clothing is used in Wovens, Kids Knitwear. Woven sweaters made with pima cotton are, as well, quite popular. They are light to wear, yet provide superior warmth.

Other ELS cotton that can be mentioned here are Egyptian Giza , India’s Suvin, DCH 32, MCU 5.