#Natural Fibers

2025-06-05

Dr Charudatta Mayee is the 2025 ICAC Researcher of the Year

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is pleased to announce that Dr Charudatta Mayee, President of both the Cotton Association of India and the South Asia Biotech Center, has been named the 2025 ICAC Researcher of the Year, according to Dr Keshav Kranthi, Chief Scientist of the ICAC and himself a winner of the award in 2009.

The ICAC honors a leading cotton researcher each year by awarding a certificate of recognition, a shield, and an honorarium of $1,000. Dr Mayee was selected by an independent panel of five eminent experts from five different countries.

Dr Mayee, a pioneer in cotton biotechnology, played a pivotal role in India's Bt cotton revolution, overseeing biosafety evaluations and regulatory approvals as Co-Chair of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee. His expertise spans plant pathology, cotton biotechnology, and agricultural policy, with a lifelong commitment to improving farmer livelihoods.

Dr Mayee has received numerous accolades spanning five decades, recognizing his transformative contributions to agricultural science. He is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and has received lifetime achievement awards from multiple institutions. His early career was marked by the Prof MJ Narasimhan Academic Award (1974) and VP Gokhale Award (1998), followed by national honors like the Vasantrao Naik Krishi Award (2002), ICAR Outstanding Team Research Award (2003), and Dr B Vishwanath Award (2005).

His recent work focuses on promoting high density planting systems (HDPS) and sustainable pest management solutions for smallholder cotton farmers. Dr Mayee remains actively engaged in farmer welfare initiatives through organizations like Agrovision Foundation and the South Asia Biotech Center. He continues to conduct field demonstrations, develop sustainable farming solutions, and advocate for policies that support smallholder cotton farmers across India.

ICAC to collaborate with Uzbekistan and Bizpando on regenerative agriculture

The Government of Uzbekistan has allocated 55,000 hectares of land to implement a regenerative agriculture program for cotton as part of a collaborative project with the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and Bizpando, a company with a a blockchain-based internet platform designed to ensure supply chain compliance.

ICAC announces postponement of the 83rd Plenary Meeting in Tanzania

Due to unforeseen circumstances arising from the recent developments in Tanzania, the ICAC has announced that its upcoming 83rd Plenary Meeting has been postponed. Scheduled for Nov. 17-20 in Mwanza, the delay was recommended by Tanzania, and the decision was made out of an abundance of caution, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants.

World Cotton Trade declined 4.1% in 2024/25, according to ICAC's 2025 World Cotton Trade Report

Washington, DC — The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has released the 2025 World Cotton Trade Report, which covers trade developments in raw cotton since 1980. An annual publication, it provides analysis of world trade by region; import/export projections by country; matrices of trade flows; and seasonal estimates of export commitments to date.

Rieter adjusts group structure in preparation for Barmag integration

The planned acquisition of the “Barmag” Division of OC Oerlikon will create the leading system provider worldwide for natural and man-made fibers. Rieter is confident it will receive all regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Rieter Group is therefore adjusting its Group structure as of January 1, 2026, to take this acquisition into account and to be able to provide an even more agile response to market challenges.

Navis TubeTex announces U.S. partnership with Icomatex

Navis TubeTex, a global leader in advanced dyeing and finishing machinery solutions, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Icomatex (www.icomatex.com), a respected European manufacturer of high-quality stenters and textile finishing equipment. Under this agreement, Navis TubeTex will exclusively represent the Icomatex stenter line in the United States.

ADVANSA launches ADVA®tex: A new step toward textile-to-textile recycling

ADVANSA has introduced ADVA®tex, a new filling fibre made entirely from recycled pre-consumer textile waste, positioning the material as a significant step forward in textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling. The fibre is designed for use in duvets, pillows, mattresses, and furniture applications and is available in three versions.

KARL MAYER celebrates 35 years of EL pattern drive

KARL MAYER is celebrating an anniversary this year: on 30 November 1990, the first warp knitting machine with electronic guide bar control, the KS 4 EL, was delivered – another milestone for patterning. As early as 1980, the SU gearbox with the MRS42SU had initiated the transition from mechanical chains to digital data.