#Raw Materials

2025-01-23

Cotton-supported study highlights potential dangers of microplastics in synthetic fibers

Microplastics are ubiquitous and evidence of serious harm is increasing. Studies have linked microplastics and nanoplastics to heart attacks, strokes and deaths, and microplastics have been found in the bone marrow of leukaemia patients and in the brains of dementia patients.

Analyst Veronica Bates Kassatly and statistician Dr. Terry Townsend have compiled a report on microplastics, which is now published by the Bremen Cotton Exchange. The report is available in electronic format and can be downloaded from the BBB website.

Bates Kassatly/Townsend found in a report that microplastics are ubiquitous, and evidence of serious harm is mounting. Micro and nanoplastics have been associated in various studies with myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. They have been identified in the human bone marrow ??of leukemia patients. According to the author´s findings brain samples from those who had dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, contained up to ten times more plastic by weight than healthy samples.

Chemicals associated with these synthetic textile polymers are a key aspect of this concern. Some 2,566 chemicals are either marketed for use in PET, are present in PET, or are released from PET. Only 31 of these are known to be not hazardous,

31 % are known to be hazardous, but the vast majority are without hazard data.

Accordingly, plastic microfibers are a completely different hazard category than other microfibers and must be treated as such in Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Product Environmental Footprints (PEFs). Recognizing this fundamental difference, the European Commission’s March 2024 resolution on the Green Claims Directive specified that the PEF for Apparel and Footwear must incorporate a microplastic assessment.

Conflicts of interest instead of science

However, the sources tapped by both the French and EU PEFs to evaluate microfiber impact are not scientific organizations, but entities created and funded by vested interests. The conflicts of interest stemming from the involvement of stakeholders deeply tied to the production of plastic apparel undermine the scientific foundations of environmental legislation and impede the effective management of long-term environmental challenges.

Fashion value chain LCAs/PEFs must make it clear that plastic fibers contain hazardous chemicals, and such fibers may create exposure to the different chemicals used throughout the item's life cycle.

In their 31-page report on the treatment of microplastics in LCAs and PEF applications, Veronica Bates Kassatly and Terry Townsend recommend that just as packaging for tobacco products must include a health warning, a warning would be appropriate on point-of-sale packaging for all products containing synthetic fibers.

A warning is suggested for microfibers © 2025 Adobe Firefly

The report was published with funding of Cotton Incorporated and is available for download at: https://baumwollboerse.de/en/our-topics/sustainability/danger-warning-about-microplastics/

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.

Beyond Cotton: Natural Fibres in the Spotlight at the Bremen Cotton Conference - Branded by DNFI

Climate targets, fragile supply chains, and rising regulatory requirements are fundamentally changing the perspective of the textile industry - the focus is increasingly shifting toward the base material. Not only cotton, but natural fibres are gaining significant importance: they stand out not only because of their outstanding functional properties, but also because they make a valuable contribution to the bioeconomy and responsible product development.

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.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

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.

Christian Wichert appointed Chief Executive Officer to lead next phase of growth

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in advanced biomaterials made from silk proteins, today announces the appointment of Christian Wichert as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 June. The appointment marks a pivotal moment in AMSilk’s journey, as the Company advances from development through scale-up to commercialization.

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.