SeiTT (asker) Apr 6, 2009:

I don't think it's a typo a Turkish text I have also uses the word but sheds no more light on the matter

Dr Lofthouse Apr 6, 2009:

Unless you are bound to a 100% verbatim translation, I'd use 'cotton manufacturing' or 'cotton processing'

Dr Lofthouse Apr 6, 2009:

you should research the use of alum in cotton manufacture I guess - there is a type of cotton cloth called 'Cavalry twill' but NL for 'cavalry' is 'cavalerie'- dont know if you are dealing with a typographic error here????