Raddis® represents systemic change in cotton value chain

FRONTRUNNERS & RADDIS®️SYSTEM PARTNERS

Our launching partners are the German LÄSSIG, the international Hugo Boss, and the pioneering Umber & Ochre (US) and Bedstraw + Madder (UK). Raddis®️ is worldwide one of the first companies that actually puts concrete systemic change of the entire cotton value chain into practice with the Raddis®️ System; a groundbreaking hybrid business model.

ABOUT THE RADDIS®️ SYSTEM

Cotton is grown regeneratively within the Raddis®️ System. This cultivation method ensures that the soil, depleted by intensive agriculture and pesticides, is restored to fertile farmland.

What is unique about the Raddis®️ System is that textile and fashion companies become part of it, so that together with other system partners they share the responsibilities, risks but also the opportunities within the entire value chain: from little cotton seed to the final product in store. A less good harvest also means less cotton for the brand. The opposite also applies: a good harvest means more cotton.

In order to really involve companies from the cotton seed onwards in the value chain, the Raddis®️ System works with a subscription model. An acre fee per year is paid in combination with a fair price per delivered product, this can be the yarn, but Raddis®️ can also take care of the production up to and including the garment.

The first four system partners, LÄSSIG, Hugo Boss, Umber & Ochre and Bedstraw + Madder, are now in the midst of producing or launching collections made from the first cotton harvest within the Raddis®️ System. By being the first four system partners to join the Raddis®️ System, they show that they take the need for system change in the fashion industry seriously.

Sanne van den Dungen, co-founder Raddis®️,
Managing Director Yassasree B.V.:

“It is time for a fundamentally different approach, striving for the highest possible positive impact in a win-win-win model. We not only believe in it, we also make it happen. With our first harvest, together with the farmers and our system partners, we show that things can really be done differently.” .

A SHORT AND TRANSPARENT VALUE CHAIN

Raddis®️'s ambition is to be the most trusted cotton value chain regardless of certifications. With this she wants to bring the conversation in the industry back to the core: making a positive impact. Contrary to what is happening more and more now, fashion brands are steering towards being able to carry out sustainable certification. As far as Raddis®️ is concerned, certificates a should never become leading in the road to sustainability. Making a sustainable impact means active change – that is what Raddis®️ emphasizes.

Raddis®️ can realize its ambitions because it is in direct contact with its farmers and supervises all subsequent steps in the chain. The Raddis®️ team works side by side with its production partners. In this way it can not only supply the cotton yarn and fabric to textile and fashion companies, but also the end product. All extra middlemen have been removed from the value chain. System partners have direct and personal contact with each other, from person to person. At the same time, the subscription model ensures a natural focus on a long-term relationship; no certification can compete with this.

SCALING RESPONSIBLY

The call for more transparency in the textile and fashion sector is increasing. The risks of intensive agriculture are also becoming more visible in society, making more companies curious about the possibilities of regeneratively grown cotton. The Raddis®️ concept is in line with these important developments. Despite being a start-up, Raddis®️ has been operating for about a year now, it can quickly meet this increasing demand.

As part of Yassasree B.V., and thus affiliated with the Indian foundation GVK Society, Raddis®️ has access to no fewer than 13,000 small-scale Indian farmers. More than 1900 farmers from this community now work with the Raddis®️ System. Compared to growing crops in the regular way, the family income increases by about 30% with the Raddis®️ System. With each new system partner, Raddis®️ can attract new farmers from this large community, train them and make them part of the Raddis®️ System. For example, Raddis®️ could easily and quickly scale up from the first four system partners to hundreds.

Niccy Kol, brand director Raddis®️, and Impact Catalyst:

“What's special about the collaboration within the Raddis®️ system is the mind shift it brings: brands invest at the beginning of the cotton value chain and share the risk, responsibilities and progress from seed to shelf.” .