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#Natural Fibers

Cotton Incorporated hosts global dialogue in Hong Kong to lead cotton forward

In a powerful display of global collaboration, more than 255 industry leaders from 124 companies including over 41 top global brands and sourcing organizations gathered in Hong Kong on May 15 for Cotton ConneXions: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity, a one-day summit hosted by Cotton Incorporated. The event united the global cotton supply chain to discover innovations, recognize industry contributions, generate business orders, network, and address the challenges and opportunities shaping the fiber’s future amid regulatory shifts and evolving market dynamics.
Cotton Incorporated hosts Global Dialogue in Hong Kong to lead cotton forward © 2025 Cotton Incorporated
Cotton Incorporated hosts Global Dialogue in Hong Kong to lead cotton forward © 2025 Cotton Incorporated


More than 250 industry leaders convene for insight, collaboration, and business ideas

“Through the Cotton ConneXions event, Cotton Incorporated serves as a convenor of global decision-makers, especially within the dynamic Asian region.? We recognize that meaningful progress in the supply chain happens through collaboration. Events like this allow us to bridge innovation and opportunity, while reinforcing our commitment to advancing cotton’s role in a more sustainable, transparent, and high-performing textile future,” notes William Kimbrell, president & CEO of Cotton Incorporated.

The agenda included forward-looking insights, beginning with opening remarks from President and CEO, William Kimbrell and Chairman of the Board, Marvin Arthur Beyer, Jr. A global market outlook from Mark Messura, senior vice president of Global Supply Chain Marketing at Cotton Incorporated, highlighted the economic and trade shifts impacting cotton’s role in the supply chain. An insightful presentation by Heidi van den Hul, founder of fabriCreation, focused on global compliance impacts. Presentations included a look at Fall/Winter 2026/2027 cotton trends, highlighting preferences among consumers for durable, long-lasting fashion. Next generation dyeing and finishing technologies, strategies for reducing the environmental impact of textile production, and cotton’s role in low-carbon, plastic-free future were addressed by conference speakers. The event showcased the newly updated Cottonworks.com website, the most extensive resource for cotton available to the industry.

“Cotton ConneXions is where ideas become action. Whether those ideas come from Cotton Incorporated or our many industry partners, we are proud to serve as a source of inspiration and practical ideas for helping manufacturers, brands, and retailers improve and expand their cotton business,” stated Mark Messura, senior vice president of Global Supply Chain Marketing.

For more information and photos from the Cotton ConneXions Hong Kong event, go to https://cottonworks.com/news/cotton-connexions/



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#Natural Fibers

Dr. Jane Dever inducted into the 2025 Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame

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#Natural Fibers

Cotton Incorporated unveils reimagined CottonWorks platform

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#Natural Fibers

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#Raw Materials

Marvin Beyer Jr. elected as new Cotton Incorporated Chairman

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New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

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#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative strengthens regenerative focus in standard update

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#Natural Fibers

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

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#Raw Materials

Global production expected to decline in 2026/27 as policy shifts and weak demand reshape trade

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#Denim

TENCEL™ Lyocell - HV100 achieves global denim availability in six months; Vol. 2 debuts at Kingpins Amsterdam

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#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

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#Knitting & Hosiery

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