This is Appachi
Rooted in heritage. Geared for innovation.
Three generations of cotton ginning in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, specialising in contamination-controlled extra-long staple cotton.
1946Sri Santhalakshmi Mills founded with 6 Platt Brothers double roller gins.
Contract farming
Appachi's formula for cotton contract farming is an innovative initiative in Indian agriculture in general, and the country's cotton cultivation in particular.
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Contamination control
Cotton is hand graded and passed through an 80-camera contamination remover to double check it is free from contamination.
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Our products
A value-addition chain from cotton to textiles and garments under our own brand, Ethicus.
Explore“Appachi Cotton is a Pollachi, India based company mainly involved in ginning of extra long staple cotton varieties. It enjoys a very high level of credibility. The fibre properties of cotton supplied by Appachi are much better when compared with cotton supplied from other suppliers. I appreciate their keen interest in this ginning process and wish them all success to improve further.” Mr. G K Sundaram, CMD, The Lakshmi Mills Co. Ltd., Coimbatore
About Appachi
Quality above all else, since 1946
Our vision
To be recognised globally by all stakeholders, including end consumers, as a unique social enterprise that puts inclusive growth and ethical business practices at the heart of its value chain. This would create a strong foundation to build Appachi Eco-Logic Cotton and Ethicus into globally recognised brands.
Sri Santhalakshmi Mills, 1946
Every story has to start somewhere. Ours started on 12 June 1946, when Mr. L. Mariappa and his wife Mrs. Uraiyur Nachiar set up a cotton ginning factory with just 6 Platt Brothers double roller gins in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, and named it Sri Santhalakshmi Mills.
Appachi Cotton, 1996
With over 65 years of cotton experience, we have the respect and trust of all those we have worked with along the way, because we have continued the tradition started by our founder: quality above all else. Experts in ginning high-quality extra-long staple cotton, we have expanded into an ultra-modern facility with 22 customised double roller gins and 2 hydraulic presses, while preserving a cotton legacy that is three generations old.
Directors
Mr. M. Chinnaswamy, Mr. Mani Chinnaswamy and Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Nachiar, Directors, Appachi Eco-Logic Cotton Pvt. Ltd.
Our heritage
- 1946Establishment of Sri Santhalakshmi Mills
- Installation of hydraulic presses
- 1996Establishment of Appachi Cotton
- 2005Pioneering of the cotton contract farming model
- Launch of the Appachi Eco-Logic Project
- 2009Launch of Ethicus, one of India's first ethical fashion brands
- “Future Shaper Award” by Textile Exchange
- Incorporation of Appachi Eco-Logic Cotton Pvt. Ltd.
Our products
High-quality, niche and blemish-free cotton
In 1492, Columbus took the longest cotton from the Caribbean islands and introduced it to the world as “Sea Island Cotton”. The Americans and Egyptians adapted it between the 17th and 18th centuries. St. Vincent (V135), a Sea Island cotton, was adapted in India and released as “Suvin” in 1974. With 2.7 to 3.1 micronaire and 38 to 40 mm in length, it is the finest and longest staple cotton in the world, the only commercially available fibre that spins to 300s Ne and above. Appachi has mastered the growing and ginning of unadulterated, contamination-free and rupture-free Suvin for over four decades.
The Appachi Eco-Logic Project brings together farmers of the Kabini region, encouraging them to grow traditional varieties of cotton and helping them convert from genetically modified cotton to environmentally friendly Eco-Logic cotton. This eliminates harmful pesticides and insecticides and helps reverse the damage done to water resources and animal life in the region. The project also trains farmers in traditional and scientific methods of growing sustainable, high-quality cotton consistently.
| Cotton type | 2.5% span length | Bundle strength (1/8″ gauge) | Micronaire | Quality | Crop availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eco-Logic ELS-36 | 36 mm | 29–30 | 3.0–3.5 NCL | Contamination controlled | Oct–Apr |
| Eco-Logic ELS-35 | 35 mm | 28–29 | 3.0–3.5 NCL | Contamination controlled | Oct–Apr |
| Eco-Logic ELS-34 | 34 mm | 26–27 | 3.0–3.5 NCL | Contamination controlled | Oct–Apr |
| Eco-Logic ELS-33 | 33 mm | 24–26 | 3.2–3.5 NCL | Contamination controlled | Sep–Dec (winter), Jun–Oct (summer) |
| Eco-Logic LS-32 | 32 mm | 23–25 | 3.5–4.5 NCL | Contamination controlled | Sep–Dec (winter), Jun–Oct (summer) |
| Eco-Logic LS-31 | 31 mm | 23–25 | 3.5–4.5 NCL | Contamination controlled | Sep–Dec (winter), Jun–Oct (summer) |
| Eco-Logic LS-30 | 30 mm | 23–25 | 3.5–4.5 NCL | Contamination controlled | Sep–Dec (winter), Jun–Oct (summer) |
| Eco-Logic High Mic | NA | NA | 6.0–8.0 NCL | Contamination controlled | Nov–Jan (winter), Jan–Feb (summer) |
Our process
Nine niche nuances for a contamination-free fibre
Pre-ginning
Training
Our day starts with careful screening of our dedicated, skilled workforce. They are constantly trained on the contaminants to look out for and remove.
Primary heap making
Procured cotton is segregated into heaps according to its quality specifications.
Roller grading
The heaped cotton is gently tumbled in our indigenously designed cage roller.
Conveyor grading
The cage-rolled cotton is hand graded on a moving conveyor, where our skilled workforce meticulously removes contaminants.
Post-ginning
Secondary heap grading
Contaminants collected at each step are weighed, labelled and deposited in separate bins for safe disposal.
Slow-speed ginning
We have mastered slow, rupture-free ginning, which ensures a blemish-free cotton fibre.
80-camera contamination scanning
Installed in our pressing hall, this double check keeps a strict watch on every process and ensures contamination is removed.
Loose lint weighing
The camera-scanned loose lint is weighed by hand to 170 kg (±5) before being pressed into bales.
Unique bale packaging
Our contamination-free cotton is compressed into one-of-a-kind cloth-packed bales, safeguarding it against contamination in transit.
Contract farming
An innovative approach to sourcing quality cotton
Appachi's formula for cotton contract farming is an innovative initiative in Indian agriculture in general, and the country's cotton cultivation in particular.
This backward-integration initiative helps us source high-quality cotton ethically, meeting the requirements of quality-discerning clients. Collecting cotton at source brings a high degree of transparency and traceability right up to the farmer who grew it, with an ethical, holistic approach that can be repeated season after season.
Social impact
A sustainable social enterprise
Besides high-quality cotton, Appachi has always been known for its commitment to the people it works with and the environment it works in.
Social
Appachi has promoted Eco-Logic cotton contract farming in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka since 2005. The journey connects farmers, ginners, spinners, artisans, the textile value chain and finally the consumer. Nachiar Vidyalayam, a holistic school run by Appachi, provides quality education as a CSR activity.
Environmental
Appachi's value chain stretches from Kabini in Karnataka to Pollachi in Tamil Nadu, both part of a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site and one of the richest biodiversity hotspots on Earth. We source ethically by promoting environmentally sustainable Eco-Logic cotton contract farming, and more farmers join each year.
Economic
Appachi is a farm-to-fashion, inclusive-growth social enterprise. Its work in contract farming, contamination-free ginning of exclusive fibres and weaving of fine cotton fabrics has drawn quality-discerning buyers from spinning mills to international fashion houses. That growth strengthens our resolve to create social and environmental impact in our own value chain.
Nachiar Vidyalayam
A holistic school run by Appachi, educating around 850 rural children.
Looking ahead
Appachi is committed to strengthening its place as one of India's leading social enterprises: a farm-to-fashion story that is inherently sustainable.
Ethicus
A true farm-to-fashion story
Ethicus is the in-house brand of Appachi, our window to the final consumer. Launched in 2009 as one of India's first ethical fashion brands, it weaves exclusive fabrics on our own handlooms, all under one roof. Our traditional artisans produce fine handmade textiles appreciated by a growing number of loyal customers in India and abroad.
Every step of the Ethicus value chain follows ethical business practices, so that cotton farmers, weavers, our workforce and customers all benefit. Appachi connects everyone in the chain, from the farmer right up to the person who wears the saree.
Get to know us
Contact Appachi
- Company
- Appachi Eco Logic Cotton Pvt. Ltd.
- Address
- 46, Meenkarai Road, Zaminuthukuli,
Pollachi 642004, Tamil Nadu, India - info@appachicotton.com
- Phone
- +91 4259 234666
+91 96880 44000