BULGARIA: Dunavska Koprina pilots European silk project

Source: just-style.com

Dunavska Koprina (or Dunav Silk), Bulgaria's only silk fabric producer, is piloting a major new project to help re-establish the country's silk industry. 

Working closely with the EU, the company is planning on forming partnerships with farmers who will grow the mulberry trees, and in turn, the silkworm cocoons from which the silk is extracted.

The farmers should benefit from agricultural subsidies once the country becomes a full member of the EU on 1 January 2007.  

There are four areas in Bulgaria where the trees will grow, but most mulberry forests were destroyed 20 years ago during the communist regime.

The new mulberry forests will be more than 60 acres in size, and the farmers will raise the trees and the cocoons, the latter being grown on special tables in carefully controlled temperatures and conditions to develop the highest quality grades of silk. 

Two technical institutes will also be involved in developing and selecting the best types of trees and worms. 

The farmers will sign a 15 year contract with Dunavska Koprina to supply the cocoons. In turn, Dunavska Koprina will develop a new silk spinning mill and finishing plant and aims to produce 40,000 metres of silk fabric per year by 2008.

By 2018 Dunavska Koprina expects 30% of its production to be 100% pure silk, the remaining 70% being a mixture of other fabrics. All silk will be destined for export.

Dunavska Koprina currently employs 1200 people and produces 100,000 to 120,000 metres of fabric per month, including cotton, viscose, polyester, cotton/polyester, wool/polyester and wool, for export to Italy, Germany, the UK, Spain and France.

10% of its production is garments, branded under the company's own name or made under contract for customers in the UK and Italy.

By Niki Tait.