#Sustainability

2021-07-29

New staff joins the GOTS family

GOTS is excited to introduce five newly appointed staff members, who are experts in their respective fields. Ranging from the first representative on in Africa to the spheres of the digital world: Meet the new GOTS-Family members and read more about their positions and essential tasks for the assurance of our developments and goals.

Strengthening Standard Development and Quality Assurance

Two new members were added to the GOTS Standard Development and Quality Assurance Team. Bükra Kalayc? is a textile engineer and holds a master’s degree in environmental sustainability. Her PhD research focuses on circular systems in the textile supply chain. Bükra has been appointed to the newly created position Responsible, Standard Development and Implementation (Ecology) at GOTS. She will continue to develop the ecology pillar as well as ensure an efficient implementation of the GOTS standard. Bükra is based in Turkey.

Ruslan Alyamkin has been appointed as Responsible, Standard Development and Implementation (Social Responsibility). Ruslan has a PhD in International Public Law and has a background in human rights. He has worked with international, governmental and non-governmental organisations, including the OSCE and the UN OHCHR. Ruslan will help GOTS in ensuring the Standard continues its development in the social responsibility pillar. He is based in Germany and may engage with CBs for matters related to GOTS social requirements.

Prachi Gupta is now designated Responsible, Quality Assurance and Impact. Prachi takes on the task to engage with GOTS ACBs regarding Quality Assurance procedures, such as CB Webinars and Training, GMO data collection, CB complaints and Impact related procedures, such as quality surveys with CBs and Certified Entities.She will also work with Accreditation Bodies as required. Prachi holds a master’s degree in Textile Technology and is based in India.

First GOTS Representative in Africa appointed

Muktar Dodo is the newly appointed GOTS Representative in Africa. He is responsible for enhancing GOTS on the continent that is quickly becoming a sourcing destination for major markets. Muktar comes to the role with substantial experience in implementing standards and quality assurance services in the cotton and textile sector in Africa. He also gained experience in organic textile certification having worked with a certification body in China. Muktar is based in Nigeria.

Expanding GOTS IT and Marketing capabilities

In order to meet the growing demand on digitalisation, data processing and marketing, two specialists in their respective fields were hired.

Swati More has taken on the role as IT Specialist and formally joined GOTS on 19 July 2021. Swati is from the Software - IT industry and completed her graduation in Electronics Engineering. She has expertise in software applications development & database management. Next to focusing on the data digitisation process & data management, she will also be looking over the support of existing software applications and new software developments, enhancing GOTS's digitalisation process. Swati is based in India.

Holger Stripf has been appointed GOTS Head of Marketing. He brings with him over thirteen years of international marketing experience. Holger has worked for corporations in Australia, USA and Germany and spent the last nine years in senior marketing positions at Heine, a member of the Otto Group. Next to his strategic marketing focus, Holger has also taken over the responsibilities of Juliane Ziegler, who has been appointed the new GOTS Representative in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Holger is based in Germany.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

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.