#Raw Materials

2020-03-05

Egypt’s Prime Minister to inaugurate WCRC-7

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Kemal Madbouly will inaugurate the seventh World Cotton Research Conference (WCRC) in Sharm-el-Sheikh in the presence of some of Egypt’s most prominent politicians and academicians. Egypt Air offers flight discounts.

Will have many VIPs in attendance, including Mostafa Kemal Madbouly, Egypt’s Prime Minister

Announced its first major sponsorship: discounted flights on Egypt Air

Is held every four years — this is the seventh event since it launched in 1994

Is coordinated by the ICAC under the auspices of the International Cotton Researchers Association

Provides a showcase for scientists and researchers to display their work for the public and private sectors

In addition to the Honourable Prime Minister, Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Tareq Qabil, and Minister of Public Business Sector, Hisham Tawfik, will be at the event, which will be held from 3-7 October 2020 and is expected to draw more than 400 people.

That is not all of the good news for attendees, however: They will also have the opportunity to fly to and from Sharm el-Sheikh on Egypt Air, the event’s first major sponsor, at a 20% discount. The offer applies to all classes of travel; please contact Dr Mohamed Negm (prof.negmmohamed@yahoo.com) for more information.

‘The fact that multiple high-level government officials already have announced that they will be in attendance highlights just how important cotton is to Egypt’s economy and culture’, said Dr Mohamed Negm, Head of the National Organising Committee. ‘That is further confirmed by the outstanding support the WCRC is getting from the country’s national airline, Egypt Air. It’s clear that this is a must-attend event for cotton professionals, especially with the discounted airfares reducing travel costs’.

To learn more and register for WCRC-7, please visit

https://www.wcrc7.com/

ICAC to support European Commission on pending PEF legislation

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is proud to announce that it has been included as a member of the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) on the Product Environmental Footprint methodology. The Commission developed the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organizations.

ICAC to collaborate with Uzbekistan and Bizpando on regenerative agriculture

The Government of Uzbekistan has allocated 55,000 hectares of land to implement a regenerative agriculture program for cotton as part of a collaborative project with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and Bizpando, a company with a a blockchain-based internet platform designed to ensure supply chain compliance.

ICAC announces postponement of the 83rd Plenary Meeting in Tanzania

Due to unforeseen circumstances arising from the recent developments in Tanzania, the ICAC has announced that its upcoming 83rd Plenary Meeting has been postponed. Scheduled for Nov. 17-20 in Mwanza, the delay was recommended by Tanzania, and the decision was made out of an abundance of caution, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants.

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

Aid by Trade Foundation reaches new milestones in supply chain transparency

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is reaching new milestones as it leads the way towards greater physical traceability for Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) cotton. With around 700 suppliers and producers in a total of 25 countries, the Aid by Trade Foundation has reached a new record number of partners who can trace CmiA cotton from the product back to its origin. This is more than double the previous year’s figure.

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.

Selenis to double capacity in Portugal by Q3 2027 - Accelerating the Global transition to circular and low-carbon polyesters

Selenis, a global leader in high-performance specialty polyesters and part of the IMG Group, has announced a transformational expansion of its industrial headquarters in Portalegre, Portugal. This strategic investment is set to double the site’s production capacity by the third quarter of 2027, significantly accelerating the industrial scale-up of bio-based, medical-grade, and circular co-polyesters.

Independent testing confirms no detectable PFAS in Milliken firefighter turnout gear fabrics

Independent laboratory testing has confirmed that Milliken fabrics used in the manufacturing of firefighter turnout gear contain no detectable PFAS, based on third-party analysis conducted by Forever Analytical, an independent laboratory specializing in screening products and environmental samples for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles returns in August as global sourcing hub and trend barometer for home textiles industry

Following the conclusion of Heimtextil last month, the flagship fair in Messe Frankfurt’s global home and contract textiles portfolio, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition will return 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Building on the momentum generated in Frankfurt, the Shanghai fair will reinforce its position as the foremost home and contract textile platform in Asia – successfully bridging the gap between East and West, and connecting global product trends, supply-chain shifts, and buyer demand in one marketplace.