#Raw Materials

2020-01-29

Central panel discussion: Circular Economy – The Future

The “Circular Economy” will be one of the most widely discussed industry subjects at the upcoming International Cotton Conference in Bremen. In essence, the conference deals with the lifecycle of the natural, renewable raw material cotton in the sense of a circular economy. Following a “cradle to cradle” process, the cycle begins with its natural origin and runs through various processing stations before it is then returned to its biological origin.

Panel discussion with top-class participants

There will be a two-hour central panel discussion of the conference led by Simon Ferrigno from Derby, UK. Simon Ferrigno is a well-known specialist in sustainable and organic production systems, author and contributor to various specialist publications.

His discussion partners include Rainer Hengstmann, owner of the consultancy firm Go4More Global from Erlangen, Germany. He believes that any business activity will perform poorly if it disregards the principles of transparency and sustainability. This is due to the high level of market networking and changing regulatory scenarios. From this perspective, it is time to rethink existing business models.

Kjersti Kviseth, Jar, Norway, is the owner of the 2025 design agency. She specialises in lifecycle design and has developed principles for circular design. Here, issues such as upcycling and recycling play a major role. In 2019, she won the Ispo EcoAward for her work.

Rolf Heimann is Chairman of the Hessnatur Foundation, Berlin, Germany and has been active in textile ecology for more than 20 years. He has developed environmentally friendly and biodegradable dying systems and coatings for textiles. The mail order and retail company Hessnatur has been one of the pioneers in the market for sustainable cotton and woollen textiles since it was founded in 1976.

Mary Ankeny is Vice President, Product Development & Implementation Operation at Cotton Incorporated, Cary NC, USA. Among other things, Cotton Incorporated deals with research questions concerning the biodegradability of cotton and other fibres, as well as with the subject of ‘cotton’s next life’ outside of the classic clothing supply chain.

Ernst Grimmelt is Managing Partner of spinner and weaver Velener Textil in Velen, Germany. Two years ago, his company developed a product branded as ‘Wecycled’, in which processed production residues from the spinning and weaving mill are converted back into individual fibres. With the addition of fresh cotton, they can be turned into high quality yarns and fabrics. The result is that leftovers are no longer disposed of unused but processed into new products.

Ecological and economic benefits put to the test

The aim of the panel discussion is to draw a picture of the current situation of the circular economy. In addition to the ecological benefits, it will also question the economic viability of processes. Advantages and disadvantages should become clear. In the context of recycling, chemical and mechanical processes for the production of new products and questions about the biodegradability of fibres and textile products will be discussed. Here, it remains to be stated that cotton, like all cellulose fibres, can be added to the biological cycle without any difficulty due to its rapid biodegradability.

About the International Cotton Conference

The International Cotton Conference Bremen begins for trade visitors on Wednesday, 25 March 2020. The opening keynotes from qualified speakers will deal with the status quo and the challenges of the industry. The subsequent, thematically structured sessions are characterised by top class lectures on industry-related questions along the supply chain. The topic of circular economy and the consideration of the life cycle of cotton, viewed from different perspectives, is a thread running through the programme.

Up to 500 participants from all continents are expected to attend the Cotton Conference, with research and practice equally represented. The 35th International Cotton Conference forms the core of the Bremen Cotton Week. This includes meetings of the various cotton and textile trade associations, as well as the “Sustain” conference, which is taking place in cooperation with the newspaper “Weser-Kurier”. This year “Sustain” will focus on future issues of the retail trade and its importance for the vitality of inner cities.

The current conference news and programme details can also be viewed on the conference website.

(https://cotton-conference-bremen.de).

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.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen: Let´s Talk about Cotton!

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, to be held on 25-27 March 2026 in Bremen’s parliament building on market square, once again sends a powerful signal for professional excellence and international dialogue. The focus is on the latest market trends and technical innovations throughout the entire value chain – from agriculture and quality assurance to processing and the circular economy. With its high-calibre speakers, the conference remains an indispensable forum for anyone involved in shaping the cotton industry scientifically, technically, or economically.

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen launches registration and unveils key topics

Participants can now register online for the 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, which will be held on 25-27 March 2026 at the Haus der Bürgerschaft parliament building on market square. All visitors can look forward to a high-calibre conference programme, numerous additional meetings and a valuable exchange of knowledge and information. The comprehensive range of topics covering the entire value chain will provide practical expertise, address current developments, answer key industry questions, and provide new impetus for the future.

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.

Cotton Incorporated appoints Bev Sylvester as Chief Marketing Officer

Cotton Incorporated announces the appointment of Bev Sylvester as chief marketing officer. In this newly created role, Sylvester will oversee Cotton Incorporated’s marketing strategy, brand positioning, consumer engagement and global outreach to increase demand for cotton and strengthen its relevance in the marketplace.

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.

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.

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.