A U.S. Department of Agriculture research center in New Orleans was named a “National Historic Chemical Landmark” recently by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for research that led to development of durable-press and flame-resistant cotton fabric.

Over several decades, chemists and other researchers at USDA's Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC) developed the fabrics as part of an overall strategy to improve cotton fabric quality. The SRRC is part of the Agricultural Research Service, USDA's chief in-house scientific research agency.