#Associations

2024-01-18

Shape the future leadership of AATCC

AATCC is currently accepting nominations for open positions on its 2025-2026 Board of Directors. As a member-led organization, serving on the AATCC Board provides a valuable opportunity to guide the direction of the association while advancing your industry knowledge and professional relationships.

Board members are elected by their peers to represent the diverse interests of AATCC’s global membership. By bringing your unique perspective to the table, you can leave a positive mark on the textile industry while gaining skills and connections to boost your own career.

AATCC members will vote by emailed ballot this Fall. The new Board members will be announced in November and serve from January 2025 through December 2026.

President-elect

The AATCC President-elect serves in this role for two years before serving as President for two years, and then serves as Immediate Past President for another two years, serving six years in total as a member of the Board of Directors. In that time, he or she is a member of multiple administrative committees and helps set the strategy for the Association. Each President brings a new passion and focus.

Interest Group Officers

Each interest group is represented by an interest group Chair. Nominees must be a voting member of the interest group they represent.

+ Chemical Applications Interest Group

+ Concept 2 Consumer Interest Group

+ Materials Interest Group

+ Rising Professionals Interest Group

If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else to join the AATCC leadership, please submit completed nomination forms by March 31, 2024. This is a volunteer-led commitment invested in shaping the future of textile knowledge exchange, research, and testing standardization.

To learn more about each role on the board, meet the current board, and submit a nomination, visit

http://www.aatcc.org/bod.

Get involved with AATCC and play an integral role in driving innovation for the wider industry. The organization needs engaged members who can offer their talents to further AATCC’s vision.

More information on membership at

http://www.aatcc.org/join

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

New funding available for textile research

The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.

Young talents honoured – 60 years Walter Reiners Foundation

At the Techtextil trade fair in Frankfurt at the end of April, Peter D. Dornier, chairman of the VDMA’s Walter Reiners Foundation, presented awards to five successful young engineers. Promotion and sustainability awards were presented in the categories of bachelor’s/project theses and diploma/master’s theses. Academic theses are eligible for the sustainability awards if, for example, they develop solutions for resource-efficient products and technologies.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles unveils Trends 2027 alongside new lifestyle zone and product expansion

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition 2026 will spotlight forward-looking design directions and evolving consumer demand, as the global home and lifestyle market continues to adapt to sustainability priorities, emotional well-being, and diversified living spaces. Taking place from 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair will present its latest trend theme, ‘BREATHE UP!’, developed in collaboration with leading international trend forecaster NellyRodi™ Agency, alongside expanded product categories, and the debut of the Home Textiles Lifestyle Zone.

Itema to showcase weaving excellence at ITM 2026

From June 9 to 13, Itema will exhibit at ITM 2026 in Istanbul (Hall 8 – Stand 806D), unveiling a distinctive exhibition concept designed to highlight the Company’s expertise across the entire weaving value chain. For this year’s edition, Itema will introduce an innovative stand experience built around two core areas: advanced weaving and spare parts solutions and an immersive textile gallery featuring fabrics produced by Itema Customers worldwide.