[pageLogInLogOut]

#Raw Materials

Opportunities for the EU cotton textile industry in international competition

© 2022 Bremen Cotton Exchange
The Bremen Cotton Exchange and the Fibre Institute Bremen e.V. invites people to the 36th International Cotton Conference Bremen on 29 and 30 September. Under the motto "Cotton Decoded", conference participants will be offered an ambitious programme with up-to-date lectures and lively discussions, both on site in Bremen and via an online conference platform. The day's events will be rounded off by an exciting evening program.


Antonios Siarkos © 2022 Bremen Cotton Exchange
Antonios Siarkos © 2022 Bremen Cotton Exchange


Premiere: EU cotton textile industry in focus

A special feature: On Friday 29 September, the conference will highlight the high- quality cotton production within the European Union in the network and the downstream, highly specialised textile and clothing industry, under the headline ‘Region in Focus’. “The three-part session will show and discuss opportunities for stronger positioning and assertiveness in international competition” explains Axel Drieling (FIBRE e.V.) from the conference planning team.

The countries of the European Union, such as Greece and Spain, are among the largest cotton exporters in the world. Europe is the world's second largest importer of textiles and clothing. This includes the raw material cotton with a share of around 50 percent, only a small part of which comes from Europe. In addition, Europe is one of the world's leading suppliers of innovative technical textiles, for example in the health sector, automotive engineering or interior design. Here, too, natural fibres such as cotton are increasingly being used as renewable raw materials and, because of their biodegradability, as part of the drive towards a circular economy.

The first part of the session will not only present the cotton textile industry in facts and figures, but also discuss its strengths and weaknesses. The predominant market structures within the framework of EU agricultural policy will be made transparent.

This will be followed by a discussion about new possibilities in the EU textile chain, embedded in the European Commission’s strategy to build a resource-saving circular economy. The background here is changing consumer behaviour towards sustainably manufactured textiles. The aim is to make it clear what the competitive advantages of the EU textile chain are against this background, with which the demanding wishes of European consumers can be satisfied more quickly and flexibly. This could result in opportunities for the development of locally or regionally structured value chains.

Last but not least, the 'EU cotton' initiative of the European Cotton Alliance, an association of European cotton organizations, will be presented. It enables European cotton farmers and their affiliated companies to provide their cotton with an EU cotton label, which can also be found in processed cotton textile products. The associated licensing program could make market- oriented textile production in Europe more lucrative through transparency and traceability.



Additional highlights of the anniversary week

This year’s International Cotton Conference takes place in a year of celebration for the Bremen Cotton Exchange. The association was founded in 1872 and is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The event is therefore embedded in an entire anniversary week.

The first association and working group meetings will take place in Bremen on 27 and 28 September. These include the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), the Discover Natural Fibres Initiative (DNFI), the Industry Association for Finishing - Yarns - Fabrics - Technical Textiles (IVGT), the ICAC Task Force on Commercial Standardisation of Instrument Testing of Cotton (CSITC), a spinning mill and textile seminar given by the Fibre Institute, Cotton Exchange, IVGT and ITMF, and an ICA Bremen Board Meeting. A further highlight is certainly the meeting of the ICAC's Social, Environmental and Economic Performance of Cotton Production (SEEP) expert working group.

Bremen Cotton Night

On the evening of 29 September, the Bremen Cotton Exchange and the Fibre Institute Bremen invite participants to the popular and well-known Bremen Cotton Night. This year, the event is all about the 150th anniversary of the Bremen Cotton Exchange and is taking place in the Bremen Übersee-Museum (Overseas Museum) for a good reason: At the same time, the gates will open to an attractive exhibition on the cultural history of cotton. Conference participants can celebrate in the large atrium of the museum and also take a guided tour of the exhibition. With good music and good food, it will finally be possible to spin personal networks again and at the same time review the multifaceted world of cotton in an exquisite exhibition.

Venue

This year’s conference is not taking place in the historic town hall of the Hanseatic City of Bremen, but at the Bremen Chamber of Commerce in the immediate vicinity of the Cotton Exchange. The Chamber of Commerce has represented the interests of Bremen's trade since 1451 and is closely connected to the Bremen Cotton Exchange.

Early-bird registration until 31 August

Registration for the International Cotton Conference has already started and can be made at any time on the conference website www.cotton-conference-bremen.de, where you will also find regularly updated information about the conference.

We will continue to provide information about the International Cotton Conference on 29 and 30 September and the complete programme of the Cotton Week in the form of further press releases and target group-specific newsletters, as well as via our social media channels.

Of course, we cordially invite all interested media representatives to visit the 36th International Cotton Conference. We are happy to support you with accreditation or the selection of suitable discussion and interview partners. We look forward to any form of reporting in the run-up to the conference. We are available for further questions and interviews.

Images from this press release may be used for reporting provided the source is acknowledged.







More News from Bremer Baumwollbörse

#Natural Fibers

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.

#Natural Fibers

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen: Let´s Talk about Cotton!

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, to be held on 25-27 March 2026 in Bremen’s parliament building on market square, once again sends a powerful signal for professional excellence and international dialogue. The focus is on the latest market trends and technical innovations throughout the entire value chain – from agriculture and quality assurance to processing and the circular economy. With its high-calibre speakers, the conference remains an indispensable forum for anyone involved in shaping the cotton industry scientifically, technically, or economically.

#Natural Fibers

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen launches registration and unveils key topics

Participants can now register online for the 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, which will be held on 25-27 March 2026 at the Haus der Bürgerschaft parliament building on market square. All visitors can look forward to a high-calibre conference programme, numerous additional meetings and a valuable exchange of knowledge and information. The comprehensive range of topics covering the entire value chain will provide practical expertise, address current developments, answer key industry questions, and provide new impetus for the future.

#Natural Fibers

151st General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange

Economic change and personnel decisions were the dominant themes on the agenda of the Annual General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange on 26 June 2025. During the meeting, the new Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the raw material association, which is now almost 153 years old, were elected. Fritz. A. Grobien will take over as President.

More News on Raw Materials

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative marks certification anniversary with progress update and accreditation

One year since becoming a certification scheme, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has announced that more than 3,000 supply chain actors have been certified. At farm level, more than 30% of farms and producer units supplying BCI Cotton have received a positive audit outcome.

#Raw Materials

Cotton Incorporated appoints Bev Sylvester as Chief Marketing Officer

Cotton Incorporated announces the appointment of Bev Sylvester as chief marketing officer. In this newly created role, Sylvester will oversee Cotton Incorporated’s marketing strategy, brand positioning, consumer engagement and global outreach to increase demand for cotton and strengthen its relevance in the marketplace.

#Sustainability

OEKO-TEX® chooses TextileGenesis to advance digital traceability for organic cotton

OEKO-TEX® today announced a full collaboration with TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to digitally trace and authenticate organic cotton, strengthening fraud prevention across the supply chain. This announcement follows a successful pilot and brings together OEKO-TEX®’s certification expertise and closed testing system with TextileGenesis’ digital traceability platform to deliver a secure, end-to-end solution for managing certified organic cotton flows.

Latest News

#Knitting & Hosiery

The new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER shows what it can do

KARL MAYER’s new RE 6 EL from KARL MAYER brings a breath of fresh air to raschel fabric production. The latest samples from the textile product development department of this innovative textile machine manufacturer demonstrate the extensive design possibilities on offer.

#Research & Development

Testing and research laboratory ensures safe and more sustainable products worldwide

For 80 years, Hohenstein has stood for independent testing, scientific expertise and practical solutions. Today, the testing and research service provider supports manufacturers and brands worldwide in making textiles, hardlines and medical devices safe, more sustainable and market-ready – thereby building trust among consumers. With an international presence and interdisciplinary expertise, Hohenstein supports its customers from production through to market launch, helping them navigate an environment of growing regulatory and societal demands.

#Spinning

Perfect quality through collaboration: Machinery from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata at Zirve Tekstil

In today’s textile industry, excellence is not achieved by chance – it’s the result of deliberate decisions, technical expertise, and the courage to go beyond conventional paths. The Turkish company Zirve Tekstil has done just that: by combining the best technologies from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata, they’ve created a production setup that delivers outstanding yarn quality – recognized worldwide.

#Associations

Engineering depth and diversity for composites

Airbond is the latest member of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) to receive recognition for contributions to the composites industry. The engineering firm based in Pontypool, South Wales, has just received the Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award for its Lattice 3D Printing project.

TOP