2. Spinning process

2.1 From field to spinner

After harvesting, which is generally mechanized, except in certain regions of Central Africa where it is still done by hand, the seed cotton is collected in ginning centers, where it is first ginned (the fibers are removed from the seeds), then intensively cleaned. Finally, the cotton flakes are compressed into bales weighing around 220 kg per 0.5 m ³ . The bales are covered with burlap or plastic sheeting and strapped [N 4 600] ....