#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.

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.

Kimberly-Clark develops alternative natural fiber platform for hygiene products

Kimberly-Clark has introduced a proprietary innovation program aimed at developing alternative natural fibers for future hygiene products. The company has created a patented materials platform based on fibers derived from hesperaloe, a drought-tolerant succulent native to the southwestern United States.

Indorama Ventures advances circularity tthrough PETValue Philippines' “Zero Waste to Landfill Partnership” with Republic Cement

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is advancing the circular economy through a new Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at its recycling site PETValue Philippines, further demonstrating how collaboration across industries can maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.