#Raw Materials

2024-10-03

The 82nd Plenary Meeting: PSAC Session on fiber requirements

During each International Cotton Advisory Committee Plenary Meeting, the Private Sector Advisory Council hosts a session on the topic they’d focused on discussing throughout the year, sharing their insights with the audience and working to advance the interests of the global cotton industry’s business community.

This year, the PSAC hosted the Fifth Open Session, entitled, “Traceability and Sustainability Requirements in Natural vs. Man-made Fibers.” The Chair of the PSAC, Mr Peter Wakefield of Wakefield Inspection, introduced the four speakers:

Anees Khawaja, MG Apparel: Mr Khawaja emphasized the critical need to put sustainability at the core of cotton's strategy, especially because it is biodegradable and provides employment in developing regions — thus making a stark comparison with synthetic fibers, which do neither of those things.

Marc Lewkowitz, Supima: Representing the perspective of the Producers and Ginners Committee, he offered three recommendations: find a common, practical definition of what traceability is, develop a clear and concise bale ID system, and ensure there are support systems to help gradually transition to global implementation.

Eimear McDonagh, Agri Direct Australia: Speaking on behalf of the Merchants Committee, Ms McDonagh offered several conclusions at the end of her presentation, including that cotton is being held to a different standard than other fibers; and that success will depend on collaborating with governments and brands.

Debra Guo, Textile Exchange: Ms Guo discussed a number of topics, including the concept of “preferred materials” — a fiber or raw material that delivers consistently reduced impacts and increased benefits for climate, nature, and people against the conventional equivalent, through a holistic approach to transforming production systems.

The 82nd Plenary Meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has the theme, '"Global Partnerships to Promote Innovation in the Cotton and Textile Value Chains. Scheduled for September 30 to October 3, 2024, at the International Hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the conference will be followed by several Technical Tours of Uzbekistan's cotton and textile industries. For more information and to see the full agenda, please click here.

Organic cotton at the crossroads: Ideology, evidence, and the road ahead

Organic cotton occupies one of the most contentious spaces in global agriculture. While praised by brands and consumers for its environmental ideals, it also faces persistent questions about yield stability, certification integrity, and scalability. The current edition of The ICAC Recorder cuts through the ideology to deliver a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of both sides of the debate.

AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe expand partnership to enable industrial-scale production of silk proteins

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader leader in biotech produced silk materials, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), marking a key step in scaling the industrial production of its silk proteins. Building on the collaboration first established in 2023, the two companies have now entered into a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement, enabling the transition from industrial validation to dedicated, large-scale production.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.