#Raw Materials

2020-06-18

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Board elects Stephanie Silber president

In line with the Articles of Association, the election to the Executive Committee was held on 18 June on the occasion of the 146th Annual General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.

Stephanie Silber (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

With Stephanie Silber (40), the Board of Directors has elected a female president for the first time. Stephanie Silber has been Managing Director of Otto Stadtlander GmbH for many years, an internationally networked Bremen cotton trading company with a long tradition and 100 years of history.

The previous President, Jens D. Lukaczik (54), Managing Partner of the globally operating service company Cargo Control Germany GmbH & Co. KG, remains on the Executive Committee as Vice President. Also Ernst Grimmelt (53), Managing Director of the Europe-wide spinning and weaving mill with a focus on innovation and sustainability, Velener Textil GmbH in Velen, Westphalia was re-elected as Vice President. The same applies to Fritz A. Grobien (62), who has many years of experience in the cotton trade and is Managing Partner of Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG.

Jens D. Lukacik, Fritz A. Grobien, Ernst Grimmelt (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

“Like the whole world, the cotton industry is struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent of which is yet to be seen”, said the newly elected President. “It is all the more important to promote cooperation and the exchange of information, but above all understanding between cotton producers, cotton traders and cotton processors. The Bremen Cotton Exchange is closely connected to all of these segments and through its importance in the textile chain can provide support during this difficult situation. I’m looking forward to helping shape this challenge as President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.”

Roland Stelzer (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

Roland Stelzer new to the Board

New elections to the Board of Directors were also held during the General Assembly. Roland Stelzer, Managing Director of Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel GmbH & Co. KG, Bempflingen, was newly elected to the now enlarged board. Other members of the Board are: Hannes Drolle, Getzner Textil AG, Bludenz, Austria; Jean-Paul Haessig, RCMA Asia PTE LTD, Singapore; Henning Hammer, Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen, in Shanghai responsible for the Asian business; Jan Kettelhack, Hch. Kettelhack GmbH + Co.KG, Rheine; Konrad Schröer, Setex-Textil GmbH, Hamminkeln-Dingden; Peter Spoerry, Spoerry 1886 AG, Flums, also in the function as a representative of the Swiss textile industry, and Axel Trede, Cotton Service International GmbH, Bremen. Manfred Kern sits on the board as an advisory member from the Austrian textile industry.

A special feature of the Bremen Cotton Exchange: The members of the Executive Board and the Executive Committee largely belong to companies from various areas of the cotton supply chain, such as trade, processing and services. This gives the association access to an extensive network and worldwide information resources within the global cotton textile sector.

Due to the current contact restrictions, the General Assembly could not take place as usual in Bremen this year. The necessary votes of the ordinary members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange were carried out in advance by means of a written vote. The old and new Board met in the form of a web meeting.

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.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

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.

Lenzing Group positions bio‑based materials as a strategic asset for Europe’s economic security

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, hosted a high‑level roundtable in Brussels to discuss how bio‑based materials can strengthen Europe’s economic security and support the shift toward a fossil‑free future. Organized in cooperation with Euractiv, the event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the UK Mission to the EU, academia, civil society, and industry.

International Women’s Day: Cotton made in Africa strengthens equality for women through targeted investments

On the occasion of International Women’s Day—which will be observed on 8 March under the motto “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”—the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), which is responsible for Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA), underlines its long-standing and ongoing commitment to the equality of women in African cotton production areas.

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.

Textilfabrik 7.0 launched: Mönchengladbach becomes a real-world lab for sustainable textile production

With the official kick-off event of the Textilfabrik 7.0 (T7), a major transformation project for the German textile and apparel industry has been launched in the Monforts Quarter in Mönchengladbach. At the “Textile Roundtable,” an event format organized by the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, representatives from industry, research, politics, and the regional economy came together to jointly lay the foundation for CO₂-neutral, circular, and economically viable textile production in Germany.