#Raw Materials

2021-06-24

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Continuity in the Board of Directors and Executive Committee

In accordance with the statutes, the 147th Ordinary General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange took place on 24 June 2021. The old Executive Committee is also the new one and was re-elected in its previous formation by the Board of Directors.

Stephanie Silber (41), Managing Director of Otto Stadtlander GmbH, will remain in office as President, as will Vice Presidents Jens D. Lukaczik (55), Managing Partner of the service company Cargo Control Germany GmbH & Co. KG in Bremen, Ernst Grimmelt (54), Managing Partner of spinner and weaver Velener Textil GmbH in Velen, North Rhine-Westphalia and Fritz A. Grobien (63), Managing Partner of Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG, Bremen.

President Stephanie Silber said at the General Assembly: “After more than a year of the pandemic, it is clear that cotton has proven itself to be resilient. Of course, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have not left the industry unscathed. Orders have been cancelled and companies are struggling with bankruptcy.

Fritz A. Grobien (left) and Ernst Grimmelt (right) © Bremen Cotton Exchange.

But throughout the entire value chain, people have worked on solutions and demonstrated the innovative strength of the cotton industry. Demand has recovered relatively quickly. This is a good basis for the coming season, which can hopefully take place under more normal conditions. The industry is currently facing a major challenge with the logistics situation. A shortage of container availability and fully booked ship routing are delaying global supply chains worldwide.”

New Elections for the Board of Directors

New elections to the Board of Directors took place during the general assembly. Vice-President Fritz A. Grobien, managing partner of Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG, Bremen, stepped down from the board as scheduled and was re-elected to the committee. Jean-Paul Haessig, Asian Cotton Traders PTE Ltd, Singapore, was also reappointed to the board.

Further members of the board are Hannes Drolle, Getzner Textil AG, Bludenz, Austria, Henning Hammer, Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen, responsible for the Asian business in Shanghai, Jan Kettelhack, Hch. Kettelhack GmbH + Co. KG, Rheine, Konrad Schröer, Setex-Textil GmbH, Hamminkeln-Dingden, Peter Spoerry, Spoerry 1886 AG, Flums, also in the role of representative of the Swiss textile industry, Roland Stelzer, Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel GmbH & Co. KG, Bempflingen and Axel Trede, Cotton Service International GmbH, Bremen, Manfred Kern also sits on the board as an advisory member representing the Austrian Textile Industry Association.

During the General Assembly for the 148th business year, the Board of Directors and the management office reported to the members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange Association on the past business year and submitted the accounts in accordance with the statutes.

Lively Discussion on Supply Chain Law

Dr. Uwe Mazura, General Manager of the Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry, gave a current assessment of the recently passed German supply chain law. This was followed by a lively discussion among the members on this topic.

Stephanie Silber (left) and Jens D. Lukaczik <br />
(right) © Bremen Cotton Exchange. — Stephanie Silber (left) and Jens D. Lukaczik (right) © Bremen Cotton Exchange.

The guest lecture at this year's meeting was held by the Bremen Cotton Exchange’s archivist, Theresa Knapstein. Under the title “Almost 150 years of the Bremen Cotton Exchange; an anecdotal look at zeitgeist and personalities from the archive” she presented a review of historical events at the association.

A special feature of the Bremen Cotton Exchange: The members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee mainly belong to companies from different areas of the cotton supply chain such as trade, processing, and services. This gives the raw materials association access to a comprehensive network and worldwide information resources within the global cotton sector and beyond.

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.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.