[pageLogInLogOut]

#Raw Materials

Genetic engineering, robot technology, seed breeding, cotton cultivation, ginning

35th International Cotton Conference Bremen from 25 to 27 March 2020
  • Overview of the Status of Genetic Engineering
  • Application of Robot Technology
  • Pure Farming: Seed Breeding, Cultivation, Ginning

Bremen, the 3rd of February: the cottonseed as the raw material, the cultivation of cotton and its ginning are essential levers for increasing yields as well as quality, particularly against the backdrop of ecological, social and economic sustainability. Genetic engineering is controversially discussed in Europe. The top innovation in the agricultural sector is not to be omitted: robot technology on the field. You can find these topics at the upcoming International Cotton Conference from 25th to 27th March in the historic Town Hall of the Hanseatic city Bremen.

Development of Yields of Transgenic Seeds in Long Term Survey

David Albers, Product Development Manager for Bayer Crop Science in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, will inform about the results of a US long-term study on the use of cottonseed varieties from the Deltapine product line. As part of a comparative study based on data collections from 1980 to 2019, that is a period of almost 40 years, the realised results for yields and fibre quality from the use of the Bayer Crop Science products are introduced. The study compares the results from the eighties, that is just before the introduction of transgenic seeds, with those from the decades using continuously developed transgenic seeds. Let’s wait for the result.

Robot Technology Determines Modern Agriculture

Professor J. Alex Thomasson is professorial chair for cotton production technology, ginning and mechanisation at the Texas A&M University. In his speech “Robot Technology for the Cotton Harvest” he will introduce examples of applications with which the cotton harvest can significantly be improved using robots for higher productivity. For example, harvest robots can execute numerous harvesting processes within the growing season in which exclusively the mature, opened cotton bolls are accessed. This reduces crop losses and ensures better fibre quality by avoiding weathering of the plants. In addition to the use for harvesting, several posters will also show further applications, like weeding, during the conference. Economic as well as ecological advantages?





Avoiding Plastic Contaminations in Cotton

The detection and removal of plastic during the ginning process are essential points in Greg Holt´s presentation. He is research leader of the cotton production and cotton processing research unit at the US Department of Agriculture in Lubbock, Texas. During the mechanical harvesting, cotton is more and more often wrapped in round modules made of plastic and then placed in the field. Examinations by the USDA have shown that this packing method is one of the main sources of pollution of fibres with plastic particles, which are hard to detect. They cause deficiencies in dyeing yarns and fabrics and thus lead to complaints in fabric appearance. The methods for solving these problems and their results will be introduced in the speech.

Focus on India´s Cotton Production

With his speech, Akhil Kakkirala directs the sights at aspects of cotton production in India. He is a partner at the Kaveri Business Group based in Hyderabad, South India, one of the leading ginning companies in the country. The Kaveri companies gin cotton from different regions in India and sell to spinning mills in the country. Compared to worldwide cultivation methods, Akhil Kakkirala introduces India´s cultivation methods. Using analysis findings, he will show why the yields are comparatively low. He will address ginning quality and problems of contamination and give reasons for quality variations. Does the blockchain help here?

Gaylon Morgan, director of agricultural and environmental research with Cotton Incorporated, Carry, North Carolina, USA, is a proven expert for the advancement of cotton growing methods and will lead the conference session “Breeding, Production, Ginning”. The almost two hour session takes place on Thursday, 26th March.




More News from Bremer Baumwollbörse

#Natural Fibers

151st General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange

Economic change and personnel decisions were the dominant themes on the agenda of the Annual General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange on 26 June 2025. During the meeting, the new Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the raw material association, which is now almost 153 years old, were elected. Fritz. A. Grobien will take over as President.

#Natural Fibers

The 151st General Meeting of the Bremen Cotton Exchange on 26 June 2025

The General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange will take place in Bremen and online on 26 June 2025. All members, partners and friends of the association are cordially invited to attend this important event.

#Raw Materials

Cotton-supported study highlights potential dangers of microplastics in synthetic fibers

Microplastics are ubiquitous and evidence of serious harm is increasing. Studies have linked microplastics and nanoplastics to heart attacks, strokes and deaths, and microplastics have been found in the bone marrow of leukaemia patients and in the brains of dementia patients.

#Raw Materials

Biochar, Jeevamrit and Bokashi: How traditional composting methods promote more productive, climate-friendly cotton farming

In cotton cultivation, soil quality and the associated fertility and health of the soil play a key role. For this reason, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) in Washington has carried out an ambitious research project on this topic in collaboration with various international partner organisations – with promising results.

More News on Raw Materials

#Natural Fibers

World Cotton Trade declined 4.1% in 2024/25, according to ICAC's 2025 World Cotton Trade Report

Washington, DC — The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has released the 2025 World Cotton Trade Report, which covers trade developments in raw cotton since 1980. An annual publication, it provides analysis of world trade by region; import/export projections by country; matrices of trade flows; and seasonal estimates of export commitments to date.

#Natural Fibers

BCI warns against ‘dangerous dilution’ of EU corporate directives

The approval of the European Commission’s Omnibus I proposal by the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, accepting controversial changes to key sustainability directives is of great concern. These changes, namely to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), threaten to significantly dilute business reporting and due diligence obligations.

#Natural Fibers

ICAC releases 2025 edition of the Specialty Cotton Report

The ICAC has released the newest edition of the Specialty Cotton Report, a free publication that was created in 2023 to highlight the many new "identity cotton programs" that have been emerging around the world, in addition to covering long-staple (LS) and extra-long staple (ELS) cotton. For the ICAC's purposes, "specialty cotton" refers to any cotton that is remarkable in some way — LS, ELS, or falls under a specific identity program.

#Natural Fibers

Fashion For Good launches “Beyond50 Denim” to address hemp integration barriers in global denim production

Fashion for Good, together with leading global brands BESTSELLER, C&A, PDS Limited, Reformation, and Target, launched Beyond50 Denim: Combining Cottonised Hemp and Green Chemistry, a project accelerating the use of hemp as an alternative to conventional cotton in denim. By combining two pioneering innovations (SEFF’s Nano-Pulse™ cottonised hemp fibres and FIBRE52™’s proprietary chemistry formulations with soft handfeel), the project seeks to demonstrate that hemp-based denim can match or even surpass cotton in both performance and appeal.

Latest News

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

T-CAN – Revolutionizing can transport

In virtually all spinning mills, transporting sliver cans is still done manually. Rising labor costs, lack of operators and increasing quality requirements make this a growing challenge. With T-CAN, Trützschler introduces a practical solution: a fully automated can transport system that will be presented live at ITMA ASIA 2025 in Singapore.

#Nonwovens

Francois Guetat joins Suominen as COO

Francois Guetat brings over two decades of global experience in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing excellence. Most recently, he served as SVP of Integrated Supply Chain at Kalmar, where he led business across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and strategy. His leadership has been shaped by 22 years at Volvo, where he held key roles in Sweden, USA, and Poland.

#Sustainability

DuPont™ Nomex® plant in Asturias receives ISCC PLUS certification

DuPont announced today that its Nomex® production facility in Tamón, Asturias, has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) certification. This achievement underscores DuPont's commitment to advancing its sustainability goals and building capabilities to provide reliable Nomex® solutions from sustainable raw materials worldwide.

#Techtextil 2026

From concept to stage: Submit presentations for the Techtextil Forum and Texprocess Forum 2026 now

Anyone who wants to contribute to shaping the future of the textile industry can submit a presentation for the Techtextil and Texprocess Forum by 15 December 2025. Both stages represent innovation and practical solutions and promote exchange between research and industry. An international Programme Committee selects the contributions and curates a programme on key future topics in the textile sector. From 21 to 24 April 2026, the two leading trade fairs will once again be the centre of global business dialogue in Frankfurt.

TOP