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#Raw Materials

Official approval granted for Esquel Group’s new Sea Island Cotton variety "Yuan Loong 30"

Esquel Group Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed a new self-bred Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) variety named "Yuan Loong 30," which has been officially approved and designated by the 11th Main Crop Variety Assessment Committee of Xinjiang. With this addition, Esquel has now successfully bred and named a total of six Sea Island cotton varieties, including "Xinhai 33", "Xinhai 50", "Xinhai 55", "Xinhai 63", "Yuan Loong 17" and "Yuan Loong 30".
Cotton
Cotton "Yuan Loong 30" © 2025 Esquel


The breeding process of "Yuan Loong 30" spanned over a decade, undergoing one year of variety comparison trials, two years of regional trials, and one year of production testing. Notably, this variety is the first ELS cotton variety from Esquel to receive both official approval and plant variety rights—a significant breakthrough in cotton breeding. 

"Yuan Loong 30" demonstrates exceptional characteristics, featuring vigorous growth and high yield with good disease resistance, achieving over 16% increase in yield. It also boasts high lint percentage and excellent fiber quality, which not only enhances production efficiency but also effectively meets the demands for high-quality yarn production. 

Premium ELS cotton serves as a cornerstone of Esquel’s vertically integrated supply chain. The successful approval of its sixth new variety provides essential raw material support for building an advanced textile industry chain. This further aids in the development of high-count combed yarns, premium functional fabrics, and luxury garment series, enhancing product value and market competitiveness. These breeding breakthroughs also inject strong momentum into the transformation and upgrading of Xinjiang’s ELS cotton industry, promoting high-quality and sustainable development of China’s cotton and textile industries.



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#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

HKUST & Esquel unveil five-year study: Empowering students for sustainable innovation

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”) has partnered with Esquel Enterprises Limited (“Esquel Group”) to launch a five-year study program that allows HKUST students to conduct biannual field research at the textile manufacturer’s 500,000-square-meter Sustainable Development Garden Integral, recognized as one of China’s top 20 sustainable development projects by the United Nations.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Esquel and China Recycling Group sign strategic cooperation agreement

On April 23, 2025, Guangdong Esquel and China Recycling Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Wuxi, Jiangsu. The partnership aims to promote the recycling and reuse of waste textiles, supporting China’s carbon neutrality goals.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Integral highlights sustainable innovation at GREENEXT EXPO

Integral, the sustainable development garden of Esquel Group, a leading global knowledge-based innovation company, participated in the prestigious “GREENEXT EXPO” in Shanghai, unveiling its innovative achievements in sustainable development. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)’s advocacy of ESG principles, the event brought together industry leaders to explore the future of sustainable development and ESG practices.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Esquel recognized in UN Global Compact's Guidebook on Gender Equality

Esquel has been featured as one of the eight remarkable case studies in the #UNGC’s latest report, “Women at Work: Chinese Companies Taking Action on Gender Equality”, released on International Women's Day. The guidebook highlights our commitment to fostering gender equality within our organization and offers valuable guidance to advance ESG and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in China and beyond.

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#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.

#Raw Materials

2026 production plan set for a record 10 metric tons of recombinant spider silk cocoon per month

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced its 2026 production plan that will drive explosive growth and establish a new global benchmark for spider silk manufacturing.

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative marks certification anniversary with progress update and accreditation

One year since becoming a certification scheme, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced that more than 3,000 supply chain actors have been certified. At farm level, more than 30% of farms and producer units supplying BCI Cotton have received a positive audit outcome.

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#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.

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