Under Armour Joins the US Cotton Trust Protocol for Field-Level Data and Article-Level Traceability in the Cotton
Global athletic apparel, footwear and accessories brand Under Armour has joined the US Cotton Trust Protocol, a voluntary sustainability and traceability platform designed to bring data-driven transparency to cotton supply chains.
The move marks a significant step in the company's procurement strategy, providing upstream sourcing visibility while supporting U.S. cotton producers. Through the Trust Protocol, Under Armour gains access to verified, field-level data covering key environmental metrics including water use, greenhouse gas emissions, soil health and land use. As an initial implementation, the brand will pilot Trust Protocol-tracked cotton in autumn 2024 across all graphic tees in the Freedom collection, a line honouring military personnel, veterans and first responders.
Dr. Gary Adams, President of the US Cotton Trust Protocol, welcomed Under Armour, noting the brand's legacy of innovation and technical excellence aligns with the Protocol's data-driven approach. Aaron Driggers, Director of Sustainability at Under Armour, said where and how cotton is grown matters, calling membership a step that strengthens supply chain transparency.
A central component of the system is the Protocol Consumption Management Solution (PCMS) — an article-level tracking system. PCMS tracks U.S. and Protocol cotton from farm to finished product, giving procurement teams confidence in sourcing origin and sustainability credentials. The system uses Fieldprint Calculator and third-party verification to make farm-level data measurable and verifiable, framing sustainability as a continuous-improvement journey.
Key Takeaways:
1. Under Armour joined the US Cotton Trust Protocol.
2. Verified field-level data covers water, greenhouse gases, soil health and land use.
3. First pilot: Freedom collection graphic tees (autumn 2024) with Trust Protocol cotton.
4. Signed by Aaron Driggers (Under Armour) and Gary Adams (US Cotton Trust Protocol).
5. System: PCMS — article-level tracking, Fieldprint Calculator + third-party verification.
