[pageLogInLogOut]

#Sustainability

Change of leadership at Textile Exchange

Claire Bergkamp and La Rhea Pepper / Photo: Textile Exchange
TE's current COO, Claire Bergkamp, will transition to CEO this January, while current CEO La Rhea Pepper will take on the inspiring role of Catalyst and Co-Founder.

Textile Exchange has announced its upcoming leadership transition, effective January 2023. La Rhea Pepper, current Chief Executive Officer, will shift into the role of Catalyst and Co-Founder, and Claire Bergkamp, currently Chief Operations Officer, will transition to the role of CEO. 

Over the past two years, Claire and La Rhea have worked closely to deliver a smooth succession plan while strengthening the organization and expanding its leadership.??

Since Claire joined Textile Exchange, the organization has fully rebranded and strengthened its communications, launched its Shared Measurement System and Trackit traceability program, operationalized the Climate+ strategy, and overseen two years of extraordinary growth.

As Claire steps into the role of CEO, she will be supported by our recently hired Chief Business Officer, Lee Martin, and Chief Strategy Officer, Ashley Gill, as well as an incredibly talented and strong senior team.???

“It is an enormous honor to be stepping into the role of CEO at Textile Exchange. We need urgent climate action to build a resilient fashion and textile industry, and Textile Exchange has long been driving this agenda forward in the field, on the supply side, and on the brand side too. I'm excited lead our global community in these critical stages of its sustainability journey and ensure that–as we act on the challenges at the core of our industry–cross-sector input helps to shape every solution."

- Claire Bergkamp

La Rhea’s new role, Catalyst and Co-Founder, will allow her to pivot into an advisory and catalyst role for the industry. Her focus within the organization will be interfacing with brands, stakeholders, partners, and leaders to help them progress, along with the industry, towards achieving our Climate+ goals. She will also play a crucial role as a thought leader and motivator, helping to ensure that the organization’s mission and vision for the industry are spread far and wide.

“It is both personally and professionally rewarding to see the growth and development of Textile Exchange and I am thrilled to shift into the role of Catalyst and Co-Founder knowing that Claire – truly as the next generation – will be a driving force to lead and deliver positive and proactive transformation.”

- La Rhea Pepper


Over the past 20 years, Textile Exchange has set a strong foundation that is supporting the industry to deliver positive and proactive transformation. Textile Exchange’s Governance Board and senior leadership have set a strong example for an ecosystem of leadership that provides stability and depth while leveraging individual strengths. 

“This transition allows for La Rhea to focus her positive energy and vast experience on advising our members to move them forward on their Climate+ journey, and for Claire to shift seamlessly into the CEO role to lead the organization to new heights. Given the extraordinary growth over the past two years, I believe we've timed the transition perfectly. I worked closely with La Rhea and Claire over the past two years on this transition and must commend both on their professional and positive contribution to strengthening our leadership ecosystem."

- Heinrich Schultz, Chair of the Textile Exchange Governance Board.


More News from Textile Exchange

#Yarns

Textile Exchange publishes the final criteria for its new Materials Matter Standard, marking a pivotal shift in connecting certification to impact

Textile Exchange has published the final criteria for its Materials Matter Standard—a major milestone in the organization’s multi-year transition toward a unified, impact-driven standards system for raw material production and primary processing. 

#Sustainability

Textile Exchange evolves its membership structure to unlock the next stage of collective action for climate and nature

Textile Exchange is excited to announce that it is evolving its membership structure to a more action-oriented, impact-driven model designed to provide clearly defined pathways that help organizations respond to the climate and nature crisis.

#Sustainability

Key takeaways from the 2025 Textile Exchange conference

Brands and retailers, suppliers, innovators, recyclers, farmers, non-profit organizations, and academics convened at Textile Exchange’s Annual Conference, held in the Lisbon Conference Centre.

#Sustainability

Textile Exchange announces the winners of the 2025 Climate and Nature Impact Awards

Textile Exchange is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Climate and Nature Impact Awards. These awards recognize individuals and partnerships making progress toward a regenerative and equitable raw materials economy.

More News on Sustainability

#Sustainability

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

#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.

#Europe

ICAC to support European Commission on pending PEF legislation

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is proud to announce that it has been included as a member of the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) on the Product Environmental Footprint methodology. The Commission developed the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organizations.

#Nonwovens

ENDURANCE Program: Driving operational sustainability at Magnera

As Magnera enters a new year, the company is reflecting on a key sustainability milestone from 2025: the launch of ENDURANCE, its global, employee-led initiative focused on waste reduction and sustainable innovation. Launched on Earth Day 2025, this initiative has generated more than 250 improvement submissions from team members across Magnera’s global operations, demonstrating strong engagement and shared accountability for sustainability across the organization.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

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.

#

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.

#Weaving

Stäubli demonstrates how innovation translates into real benefits for weaving mills at SITEX 2026

One of India’s most prominent textile industry events, SITEX 2026, is held from February 21 to 23 in Surat. Committed to empowering Indian weaving mills with state‑of‑the‑art solutions tailored to regional needs, Stäubli will present a selection of solutions designed for performance, reliability, and power efficiency. Through its weaving preparation, cam and dobby shedding solutions and Jacquard technologies, Stäubli highlights its global expertise tailored to the specific needs of the local market.

#Weaving

Itema exhibits the two best-selling high-end rapier weaving machines of the Region, R9500EVO and Galileo-RX at SITEX 2026

Following the opening of its new Surat Service Center in November, Itema will exhibit at SITEX (Stand 286) from February 21st to 23rd at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC). Surat has long been one of Itema’s most strategic markets, a role further reinforced by the inauguration of the Surat Service Center last November. Equipped with an advanced electronic repair center, a weaving machine behavior simulator, and a local spare parts warehouse, the new facility strengthens Itema’s presence in the region while bringing the company even closer to its Customers.

TOP