GALY

Galy uses cutting-edge biotechnology to grow real cotton from stem cells instead of plants, in a laboratory and not a farm. This Brazilian venture, based in USA, aims to save water, land resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1000 tons of traditional cotton production requires 12 million litres of water, 2 million square metres of farm land, 180 production days, and more than 2000 pesticides. It also emits 1.5 tons of greenhouse gases. So, this process puts a huge strain on our existing natural resources. Moreover, the pesticides eventually pollute the underground water resources. Hence, growing cotton on land for the textile industry is not a practical solution in the long run.

Galy resolves this issue in an environment-friendly manner to produce cotton from stem cells, in a lab, which eliminates the use of precious water and land resources. This lab-grown cotton uses zero pesticides, 80% less water and just 1,000 square metres of lab space. It can be grown in 18 days and emits 80% less greenhouse gases too.

The technology is cost-effective, as the same amount of cotton can be grown without using up so much of natural resources. A production can be set up anywhere, without being dependent on soil and weather conditions. Garments made with this cotton will be of the same quality as traditional cotton, and similarly priced too.

Galy has secured the first position at the Global Change Award 2020, organized by H&M Foundation and received prize money of 300,000 Euros. It aims to create many other alternatives to plant-based products in the future. Galy intends to collaborate with universities, scientists, fashion and textile entities, and farmers.

Farmers, fashion and textile industries, investors and partners are the potential customers for Galy and its innovative stem cell cotton.