#Natural Fibers

2025-06-19

Cotton Incorporated unveils reimagined CottonWorks platform

Cotton Incorporated today announced the launch of a reimagined CottonWorks™ website, an ambitious digital transformation designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s global textile professionals across every stage of the value chain. The new platform is more than a redesign – it is an intuitive, fashion-forward platform built to support compliance, product development, sourcing, and education across the textile industry.

A fashion-forward, digital hub for the global textile industry © 2025 Cotton Incorporated

“In today’s landscape, companies continue to evolve the way they do business, and so do we,” said Mark Messura, senior vice president, Global Supply Chain Marketing at Cotton Incorporated. “Today’s professionals are working in a very different environment than they were even just a few years ago. With fewer companies sending teams to mills or factories, opportunities for learning and training have become more limited. They need more than training. They need reliable, in-depth knowledge that helps them tackle challenges like compliance and product development. Our research shows they want trustworthy resources at their fingertips, and this relaunch is a direct response to those changing needs.”

The new site debuted on a global stage at Cotton ConneXions – Where Innovation Meets Opportunity, Cotton Incorporated’s industry event hosted in Hong Kong in May. More than 255 attendees from 124 companies across 12 countries received a first glimpse of the new fashion-forward, digital platform.

“The newly launched CottonWorks site is a comprehensive resource for anyone in the apparel industry,” said Doug Tepper, vice president, Sourcing, Quality, Compliance & ESG at J.Jill. “Thank you for providing such a tremendous amount of relevant, valuable information and educational tools all in one, easy to navigate, website.”

Grounded in industry research that revealed a growing need for flexible, digital-first tools, the new CottonWorks learning hub reflects how modern professionals now learn, connect, and create. Seeking trend insights, marketing support, and digital product creation as top priorities, along with practical tools including enhanced virtual learning, 3D fabric files, technical specifications and compliance materials, CottonWorks is newly poised to deliver accessible, actionable tools to product developers, designers, sourcing leaders and marketers.

“The new CottonWorks site is a fantastic leap forward,” said Gurvinder Malhotra, vice president, Global Raw Materials. “The refreshed design is not only visually striking but also significantly enhances the user experience. The streamlined navigation, improved search functionality, and mobile responsiveness make it easier than ever for users to access the wealth of resources CottonWorks offers. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into making the site more intuitive and engaging for today’s professionals in the textile and apparel industries. It’s a major step forward in supporting innovation and sustainability in the textile industry and a valuable resource for anyone working with cotton.”

Key features of CottonWorks include:

+ A personalized user dashboard to bookmark favorite content and streamline workflow.

+ A refreshed Learning Hub with on-demand educational videos and tutorials.

+ Downloadable digital fabrics, compliance guides and supplier directories.

+ Expanded content on trend forecasting, traceability, circularity and recycling.

Designed to centralize knowledge and continue to serve as the leading industry platform for cotton-rich knowledge, tools and resources, CottonWorks equips professionals with a trusted platform to thrive in today’s fast-moving global marketplace. For more information, visit CottonWorks.com.

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 calls for investment in quality cotton fashion

When it comes to selecting the best fashion and home style pieces, quality matters. One key aspect that stands out among consumers is the choice of fabric, especially with cotton being a popular favorite for its comfort, durability, and sustainability. Whether it’s clothing or home textiles, the fiber label “cotton” signifies comfort and quality especially when looking for value per use in a down economy.

Marvin Beyer Jr. elected as new Cotton Incorporated Chairman

Marvin Arthur Beyer Jr., a cotton grower from Taft, Texas, was elected Chairman of the Board of Cotton Incorporated at the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated joint meeting in December 2024. Beyer brings a distinguished and respected background and dedication to the Chairmanship, a two-year term that commences in 2025.

Textile Exchange publishes cotton Life Cycle Assessment study to strengthen impact data

Textile Exchange has published the first in a series of seven Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies designed to improve the quality and robustness of environmental impact data for raw material production across the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. The first LCA study focuses on cotton and addresses critical data gaps and methodology variability through new high-quality data across key producing countries. The study includes organic, regenerative, recycled, and country averages for conventional cotton production systems, providing a clearer picture of the associated environmental impact.

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.

Beyond Cotton: Natural Fibres in the Spotlight at the Bremen Cotton Conference - Branded by DNFI

Climate targets, fragile supply chains, and rising regulatory requirements are fundamentally changing the perspective of the textile industry - the focus is increasingly shifting toward the base material. Not only cotton, but natural fibres are gaining significant importance: they stand out not only because of their outstanding functional properties, but also because they make a valuable contribution to the bioeconomy and responsible product development.

Freudenberg Performance Materials presents Mehlerheytex and Filc at Techtextil 2026

Freudenberg Performance Materials will showcase textile innovations that increase efficiency, performance and sustainability in industry and mobility at Techtextil 2026. For the first time since the merger of Mehler Texnologies and Heytex, the MehlerHeytex brand will make its debut as a leading expert in coated technical textiles. Moreover, Freudenberg Performance Materials Filc (Filc), specialist for advanced needlepunch nonwovens and laminated materials, will present its groundbreaking solutions for automotive applications. Filc customers can benefit from the perfect combination of functionality, comfort and sustainability. The Freudenberg Performance Materials experts are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the trade fair at Stand A11 in Hall 11.0 from April 21 – 24, 2026.

Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 to showcase innovations – Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts is now open for the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2026, taking place on 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany, and online. Europe’s leading platform for advanced recycling brings together hands-on solutions and cutting-edge research on recycling technologies for various waste streams like plastics, polymers, textiles or automotive, highlighting progress towards a circular renewable carbon economy.