[pageLogInLogOut]

#Associations

Latest news from Bremen: ICAC Plenary Meeting to take place right before the International Cotton Conference

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) will hold its 83rd Plenary Meeting on 23–24 March 2026 at the Parliament building in Bremen. The meeting will take place immediately ahead of the 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen (25–27 March 2026) and marks a historic premiere: for the first time, the ICAC Plenary will be hosted in close cooperation with the Bremen Cotton Exchange and the Faserinstitut Bremen e.V. (FIBRE).

The ICAC is a government-level association headquartered in Washington, DC. Its member countries produce, process, or trade cotton. The ICAC Plenary Meeting will be held under the motto “Uniting the Cotton and Textiles Value Chain for a Sustainable Future” and highlights the organization’s commitment to supporting its member governments and advancing sustainability, innovation, and economic prosperity across the entire cotton and textile value chain—from seed to retail.

“Hosting our 83rd Plenary Meeting at Bremen’s Parliament House marks a first-ever, historic collaboration between ICAC and the Bremen Cotton Exchange,” said Eric Trachtenberg, Executive Director of ICAC. “For decades, our organizations have worked together to benefit the global cotton and textile industry, and this joint week of programming promises to be a can’t-miss event for professionals from every segment of the value chain. We are thrilled to connect high-level government delegates with the technical and commercial expertise that Bremen’s conference delivers so successfully.”

Fritz Grobien, President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange, said, “We are very pleased to welcome the ICAC to Bremen as a government-level organization. The ICAC, the Bremen Cotton Exchange, and the Fibre Institute Bremen are three institutions in the global cotton industry that represent the topic of cotton in different ways and at the highest level. Therefore, I am even more delighted to have the ICAC Plenary as a valuable contributor at the beginning of our own conference.”

The International Cotton Conference Bremen is known for addressing topics such as cotton cultivation, quality assessment, textile processing, innovative cotton products, and the interconnected textile value chain.

The Bremen Cotton Exchange, FIBRE, and the ICAC are looking forward to welcoming delegates from government, industry, and research to Bremen in March 2026. This pioneering week of events offers a unique opportunity to actively help shape the future of the global cotton and textile industry.

Online access to the Cotton Conference

Conference participants who are not travelling to Bremen and have opted to participate online can follow the conference on the tried-and-tested online platform. Here, all par-ticipants have access to the main conference sessions. Participants attending in per-son can also follow sessions online and use the wide range of networking tools. The team from the Bremen Cotton Exchange and FIBRE will provide information on further programme topics at the International Cotton Conference with additional press re-leases in the run-up to the event. All information is regularly updated and can be found on the conference website at

www.cotton-conference-bremen.de




More News from

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Circulose restarts commercial-scale production at Ortviken plant in Sundsvall

Circulose today announced the restart of its commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The company plans to resume production of CIRCULOSE®, a recycled pulp made entirely from discarded cotton textiles, in the fourth quarter of 2026.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

VIATT 2026 to debut German Pavilion, strengthening European participation alongside key Asian textile hubs

Vietnam’s textile and garment sector continues to be a major contributor to the country’s economic growth, with export revenues expected to reach USD 46 billion in 2025, a 5.6% increase from 2024 . From 26 – 28 February, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to contribute to economic growth opportunities by accelerating digital transformation and green transition across the entire textile value chain. The upcoming edition will respond to the rising demand for advanced technologies and sustainable materials with the introduction of the German Pavilion, alongside strong exhibitor participation from key Asian sectors, as well as several high-profile fringe events.

#Sustainability

Ying McGuire becomes new CEO of Cascale

Cascale today announced the appointment of Ying McGuire as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026.

#Technical Textiles

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

More News on Associations

#Associations

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

#Composites

Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp expands bio-materials presence at JEC World 2026

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp is pleased to announce its participation at JEC World 2026, featuring a significantly expanded presence and an enhanced offering for the global composites industry.

#Europe

FITA, ABIT and EURATEX underline strategic importance of Mercosur – EU Partnership Agreement for the textile and apparel industry

The Argentine Textile Industry Federation (FITA), the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT), and the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) continue to monitor the process of internalizing the Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement. This agreement is essential for the competitiveness of our industries, on both sides of the Atlantic.

#Associations

Industry associations warn against state-run EPR models in the EU

European industry associations, led by Euratex, have raised concerns over a growing trend in several EU Member States to introduce state-run Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) within Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

#Spinning

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.

#Weaving

Stäubli demonstrates how innovation translates into real benefits for weaving mills at SITEX 2026

One of India’s most prominent textile industry events, SITEX 2026, is held from February 21 to 23 in Surat. Committed to empowering Indian weaving mills with state‑of‑the‑art solutions tailored to regional needs, Stäubli will present a selection of solutions designed for performance, reliability, and power efficiency. Through its weaving preparation, cam and dobby shedding solutions and Jacquard technologies, Stäubli highlights its global expertise tailored to the specific needs of the local market.

#Weaving

Itema exhibits the two best-selling high-end rapier weaving machines of the Region, R9500EVO and Galileo-RX at SITEX 2026

Following the opening of its new Surat Service Center in November, Itema will exhibit at SITEX (Stand 286) from February 21st to 23rd at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC). Surat has long been one of Itema’s most strategic markets, a role further reinforced by the inauguration of the Surat Service Center last November. Equipped with an advanced electronic repair center, a weaving machine behavior simulator, and a local spare parts warehouse, the new facility strengthens Itema’s presence in the region while bringing the company even closer to its Customers.

TOP