#Raw Materials

2020-02-20

Fluorescent cotton, magnetic cotton, cotton as a perfect functional textile at ICC Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen takes place from 25-27 March in the Hanseatic city’s historic Town Hall on the Market Square. The conference presents trade visitors from all major continents with the most up-to-date and promising topics of the cotton textile supply chain and discusses the resulting challenges for the market. Science and industry are equally represented.

Already on the opening day, Wednesday 25 March, a highly exciting session deals with alternative and previously little-known uses of the natural, renewable and biodegradable raw material cotton in highly innovative and useful products. In the session ‘Innovative Textile and Technical Products’, four examples show that the use of cotton goes far beyond household textiles and clothing. In fact, thanks to its intelligent properties, cotton can also be found in technical products or in smart textiles.

Michael Jänecke, Director of Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing at Messe Frankfurt, will lead the session with his extensive market experience. Among other things, he has been responsible for the organisation of the leading international trade fairs ‘Techtextil’ and ‘Texprocess’ for many years.

Banknotes are made from cotton fibres – Image: pixabay (c) 2020 Bremen Cotton Exchange

Case Study 1:

Sustainable Cotton for Forgery-Proof Banknotes

Bernadette O’Brian from the Directorate of Banknotes at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt (ECB), is responsible for the environmentally friendly and healthy, as well as forgery-proof production of banknotes. In her lecture, ‘The Use of Sustainable Cotton Fibres in Euro Banknotes’, she examines the Europe-wide banknote paper manufacturing practices, including the supervision of the manufacturing processes, as part of the ECB’s global sustainability strategy.

Case Study 2:

Fluorescent, Super Magnetic and Water Repellent Cotton

Dr Filipe Natalio is a senior staff member and researcher at the Weizmann Institute for Science in Rehovot, Israel, working for the Plant and Environmental Research Department, affiliated with the Kimmel Centre for Archaeological Science. He presents the results of his work under the theme of ‘Material Farming: Growing Cotton with Unique Functions’, in which cotton can be equipped with fluorescent, super-magnetic and water-repellent properties. This is not brought about by a chemical change, but biologically through the implementation of a specially developed glucose molecule in cotton. The development has the potential to be used in large formats in cotton-based functional materials and textiles.

Case Study 3:

Innovative Padding and Fabrics for Furnishings and Outdoors

In a double lecture, Matthias Boehme and Daniel Odermatt present innovative textiles for the interior design and outdoor sectors. Matthias Boehme is the owner of the Bremen agency Textile Solutions & Consulting. He presents product ideas for padding for use in furniture from the German nonwoven and composite manufacturer Norafin Industries in Mildenau. These are not made from oil-based synthetic fibres, but from cotton and other bio-based natural fibres and are used in the area of home textiles (e.g. wallpaper) or for functional components for technical textiles and for clothing development.

Daniel Odermatt is Division Manager at fabric manufacturer Stotz & Co. AG, Zurich, Switzerland. The company is known for developing highly functional cotton fabrics. For example, extra-long staple fibres are softly spun and twisted and then woven in the highest possible density. The result is a dense all-weather fabric with natural properties and maximum comfort. The material is rainproof, completely windproof and equipped with a breathability that can only be achieved using natural materials.

Case Study 4:

3D Cotton / Linen Fabric for the Treatment of Skin Diseases

Dr Iwona Frydrych from the University of Technology in ?ód?, Poland, is a professor at the Faculty of Material Development and Textile Design. Her topic is the support of the medical treatment of skin diseases using a 3D design for clothing made of cotton-linen blends. Microcapsules with proven skin-soothing plant substances are applied to the material. The material treated in this way has direct contact with the skin. The content of the microcapsules is released by body heat and moisture. According to studies, this leads to relief from skin complaints.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

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.

AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe expand partnership to enable industrial-scale production of silk proteins

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader leader in biotech produced silk materials, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), marking a key step in scaling the industrial production of its silk proteins. Building on the collaboration first established in 2023, the two companies have now entered into a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement, enabling the transition from industrial validation to dedicated, large-scale production.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.