#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.

Results of the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

The global textile industry appears to be turning a corner, but this is more likely a fragile and possibly temporary improvement than the start of a durable recovery. According to the 38th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey, conducted worldwide during the second half of May 2026, business sentiment, order intake, order backlogs and capacity utilization all improved versus March — yet every indicator remains weak by historical standards, and rising costs cast doubt on how long the upturn can last.

Closing the Footwear Loop reveals challenges and opportunities for circular footwear

The footwear industry faces one of the most complex circularity challenges in the fashion sector. A new Phase 1 report from the Fashion for Good initiative Closing the Footwear Loop, developed together with Circle Economy, provides new insights into the composition, condition and recycling potential of post-consumer footwear waste.

The updated poster on biodegradable Polymers in various environments has been released

As part of the PerPlacsBio project, nova-Institute has updated its popular poster on the biodegradability of polymers in different environments. The updated version reflects current standards, certifications and the latest scientific findings. The poster can be used to assess biodegradable alternatives for use in agriculture and forestry, and it is now available in German for the first time.

A new standard to combat plastic waste in forests

With DIN SPEC 35808 “Tree Shelter for Forestry Applications,” the testing and research service provider Hohenstein, in collaboration with Rottenburg University of Forestry, as well as forestry authorities and industry partners, has established a clear framework for bio-based and fully biodegradable tree shelters. The pre-standard defines requirements and practical testing methods designed to reduce plastic waste in forests and strengthen the long-term protection of soil and the environment.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.