[pageLogInLogOut]

#Raw Materials

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
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
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 (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.


More News from Bremer Baumwollbörse

#Natural Fibers

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.

#Raw Materials

Fiber traceability - A vehicle to ensure sustainability or injustice?

The Bremen Cotton Exchange is making a new paper available for download. In this paper, analyst Veronica Bates Kassatly and statistician Terry Townsend examine the justifications behind this approach and assess the consequences for textile and apparel sustainability claims and global legislation.

#Raw Materials

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.

#Natural Fibers

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.

More News on Raw Materials

#Natural Fibers

ICAC announces 84th Plenary Meeting in Egypt with focus on cotton industry resilience

Registration is now open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, which will take place from 24 to 26 March 2027 in Alexandria, Egypt. The conference will address climate resilience, technological developments, sustainability and competitiveness across the global cotton and textile value chain.

#Raw Materials

New Cotton Review examines competitiveness, market risk, and opportunities

From moving record volumes of Brazilian cotton to market, to managing price volatility, unlocking Ethiopia’s production potential, and strengthening African textile trade, the latest edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation examines some of the most consequential opportunities and challenges facing the global cotton industry.

#Raw Materials

Kraig Labs ships first commercial spider silk yarn

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced the shipment of its first commercial order of recombinant spider silk yarn. The custom-engineered yarn was produced to fulfill a purchase commitment from a globally recognized performance sports brand and is slated for development into a first-of-its-kind performance textile.

#Raw Materials

ALLIED expands down traceability with lot-level carbon footprint data

ALLIED Feather + Down has expanded its TrackMyDown traceability platform to include validated cradle-to-gate carbon footprint data linked to individual down lots. The initiative is designed to provide brands and consumers with more detailed environmental information on the materials used in finished products and could also support future data requirements associated with Digital Product Passports.

Latest News

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

KARL MAYER expands TM WEFT capabilities for fashion fabrics at ITMA ASIA 2026

A new E 36 gauge, an EL pattern drive and improved yarn tension regulation extend the application possibilities of KARL MAYER's TM WEFT warp knitting machine. At ITMA ASIA 2026, the company will demonstrate the developments alongside a collection of woven-like warp knitted fabrics for fashion and apparel.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Textiles Recycling Expo USA 2027 opens registration and expands with manufacturing exhibition

The second edition of Textiles Recycling Expo USA will take place on 7–8 April 2027 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following a debut that attracted more than 1,800 visitors and 95 exhibitors, the event will expand its exhibition and conference programme and will be held alongside the new Textiles Manufacturing Expo.

#Research & Development

First "Korea Day" at RWTH Aachen attracts more than 300 participants

The inaugural Korea Day in Aachen brought together representatives from science, business and Korean institutions to strengthen German-Korean cooperation in research, technology and education. The Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University was among the participating organisations.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

MarediModa highlights transparency and traceability with InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S.

The InsideOut by C.L.A.S.S. exhibition at MarediModa 2026 in Cannes focused on transparency, traceability and the measurable values behind fashion products. Its Decalogue of Values aims to make environmental, social and production-related information more accessible throughout the textile supply chain.

TOP