Australia's cotton and wool industries have been working hand-in-hand to champion natural fibres as synthetic fibres continue to dominate global textile production. Australian Wool Innovation and Cotton Australia joined forces to champion the sustainability of Australian fibres at World Expo Osaka in a special event in mid-October, showcasing the work being done to deliver tangible climate and nature outcomes. But beyond the event, AWI and Cotton Australia have been working together more and more to encourage consumers to shift towards natural fibres. According to Textile Exchange's Materials Market Report, in 2024, polyester made up 59 per cent of total global fibre output, a total of 78 million tonnes. Cotton remains the second most widely produced fibre after polyester, but global production fell from 24.8 million tonnes in 2022/23 to 24.5 million tonnes in 2023/24, to account for 19pc of the global fibre market. Wool accounts for 0.9pc of the global fibre market, with a ...