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#Raw Materials

The European Union (EU) is now a member of ICAC

The membership of the EU in the ICAC is of strategic significance to the world cotton industry and the 150 million people involved in cotton production, marketing and processing each season. Some of the most important trade and research institutions in the world of cotton are headquartered in the EU.

In the current season, the EU is the 11th largest producer and 6th largest exporter of cotton, and the EU is the largest market for textiles in the world. The European Union itself, and many individual countries and companies within the EU, are significant providers of cotton-specific development assistance in recipient countries.

Following the vote of the European Parliament on May 16, the Council of the European Union approved the accession of the EU to the ICAC on May 18, 2017, the final step needed to complete the accession process. H.E. Ambassador Pierre Clive Agius of Malta (Malta currently holding the rotating Presidency of the EU) formally presented the Instrument of Accession to Minister (Trade) Ali Tahir of the Embassy of Pakistan and ranking member of the ICAC Standing Committee on May 24, 2017.




The Standing Committee confirmed the membership of the EU at its 549th Meeting.

The European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, commented: "The EU's accession to the International Cotton Advisory Committee is an important step, coming only one month after we presented a set of focused actions to make value chains in the garment sector more sustainable. As a member, we will continue to work for a sustainable and inclusivecotton sector, ensuring decent jobs for all. Cotton is important both to the EU's economy and our development cooperation with cotton producing countries."


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#Raw Materials

Redesigned World Cotton Day website offers tools, ideas and inspiration

With World Cotton Day just one month away, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has launched a completely redesigned www.WorldCottonDay.com, creating a new global home for everyone who wants to learn about, celebrate, and support cotton.

#Raw Materials

ICAC’s 84th Plenary Meeting to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt

Registration will soon be open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt. The local Organizing Committee in Egypt has chosen “Building a Resilient and Competitive Future for Cotton and Textiles” as the theme for the event, which will be held at the Rixos Montaza Alexandria Resort.

#Raw Materials

Global cotton production projected to outpace consumption, but risks remain

Global cotton production is projected to reach 26.2 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, marginally outpacing estimated consumption of 25.9 million tonnes. However, early-season production risks — including weather volatility and pest pressures — could narrow that buffer as the crop progresses, according to the September 2026 issue of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

#Natural Fibers

Global garment trade nears USD 550 billion as competition intensifies

The global garment industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, with knit and woven garments together accounting for nearly 60% of world textile exports in 2025, according to the August 2026 issue of The Textiles Observer, a free publication from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

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#Raw Materials

Cotton Brazil Dialogues 2026 concludes with 50 international participants immersed in Brazilian cotton production

The Cotton Brazil Dialogues concludes its 2026 edition after a series of technical visits to farms, cotton gins and reference centers, as well as workshops focused on Brazilian cotton production. A total of 50 participants from 14 countries took part in the field trips. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), with support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

#Raw Materials

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative partners with Avalo in AI plant breeding for climate-resilient cotton

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has partnered with agriculture solutions company Avalo, whose platform accelerates the speed at which plants with key resiliency traits may be developed.

#Raw Materials

ICAC International Seminar in Taipei to explore strategic synergies across the textile supply chain

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) — together with the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), under the guidance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan — will bring international cotton and textile leaders together in Taipei on September 10 for the ICAC International Seminar 2026.

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#Nonwovens

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#Recycling / Circular Economy

Recover™ names Enes Adak and Fehmi Yüksel as Co-CEOs to accelerate its next growth phase

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#Research & Development

ADD-ITC 2026 highlights strong industry participation

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#Recycling / Circular Economy

Arc'teryx introduces System 0™, a new framework for the future of product design and circularity

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