#Natural Fibers

2025-06-12

Cotton Incorporated hosts global dialogue in Hong Kong to lead cotton forward

In a powerful display of global collaboration, more than 255 industry leaders from 124 companies including over 41 top global brands and sourcing organizations gathered in Hong Kong on May 15 for Cotton ConneXions: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity, a one-day summit hosted by Cotton Incorporated. The event united the global cotton supply chain to discover innovations, recognize industry contributions, generate business orders, network, and address the challenges and opportunities shaping the fiber’s future amid regulatory shifts and evolving market dynamics.

More than 250 industry leaders convene for insight, collaboration, and business ideas

“Through the Cotton ConneXions event, Cotton Incorporated serves as a convenor of global decision-makers, especially within the dynamic Asian region.? We recognize that meaningful progress in the supply chain happens through collaboration. Events like this allow us to bridge innovation and opportunity, while reinforcing our commitment to advancing cotton’s role in a more sustainable, transparent, and high-performing textile future,” notes William Kimbrell, president & CEO of Cotton Incorporated.

The agenda included forward-looking insights, beginning with opening remarks from President and CEO, William Kimbrell and Chairman of the Board, Marvin Arthur Beyer, Jr. A global market outlook from Mark Messura, senior vice president of Global Supply Chain Marketing at Cotton Incorporated, highlighted the economic and trade shifts impacting cotton’s role in the supply chain. An insightful presentation by Heidi van den Hul, founder of fabriCreation, focused on global compliance impacts. Presentations included a look at Fall/Winter 2026/2027 cotton trends, highlighting preferences among consumers for durable, long-lasting fashion. Next generation dyeing and finishing technologies, strategies for reducing the environmental impact of textile production, and cotton’s role in low-carbon, plastic-free future were addressed by conference speakers. The event showcased the newly updated Cottonworks.com website, the most extensive resource for cotton available to the industry.

“Cotton ConneXions is where ideas become action. Whether those ideas come from Cotton Incorporated or our many industry partners, we are proud to serve as a source of inspiration and practical ideas for helping manufacturers, brands, and retailers improve and expand their cotton business,” stated Mark Messura, senior vice president of Global Supply Chain Marketing.

For more information and photos from the Cotton ConneXions Hong Kong event, go to https://cottonworks.com/news/cotton-connexions/

Cotton Incorporated unveils reimagined CottonWorks platform

Cotton Incorporated today announced the launch of a reimagined CottonWorks™ website, an ambitious digital transformation designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s global textile professionals across every stage of the value chain. The new platform is more than a redesign – it is an intuitive, fashion-forward platform built to support compliance, product development, sourcing, and education across the textile industry.

Cotton Incorporated calls for investment in quality cotton fashion

When it comes to selecting the best fashion and home style pieces, quality matters. One key aspect that stands out among consumers is the choice of fabric, especially with cotton being a popular favorite for its comfort, durability, and sustainability. Whether it’s clothing or home textiles, the fiber label “cotton” signifies comfort and quality especially when looking for value per use in a down economy.

Marvin Beyer Jr. elected as new Cotton Incorporated Chairman

Marvin Arthur Beyer Jr., a cotton grower from Taft, Texas, was elected Chairman of the Board of Cotton Incorporated at the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated joint meeting in December 2024. Beyer brings a distinguished and respected background and dedication to the Chairmanship, a two-year term that commences in 2025.

Cotton Sustainability Summit: A catalyst for industry collaboration

The 2024 Cotton Sustainability Summit, hosted by Cotton Incorporated in La Jolla, CA, brought together sustainability leaders from major fashion brands and retailers for engaging panel discussions and thought-provoking conversations on critical sustainability topics. The two-day event featured sessions tackling climate change, regenerative agriculture, supply chain value, biodiversity, plastic pollution, and circularity, underscoring both challenges and innovations shaping the cotton industry’s future.

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.

Toray develops recycling technology that retains carbon fiber strength and surface quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

Panty liners prevent bacterial vaginosis

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. This is when the sensitive microbiome of the vagina becomes unbalanced. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. This significantly increases the risk of infertility in women and of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.

PERFORMANCE DAYS sets benchmarks with record attendance & strong industry presence

With around 4,500 professional visitors and 515 exhibitors, PERFORMANCE DAYS closed its doors on October 30, 2025, after two highly successful days in Munich. Expanded show areas, an international audience, a top-class Expert Talks program, and an inspiring DAY 0 Conference with an innovative concept underlined one thing clearly: PERFORMANCE DAYS has become the leading business platform for the functional textile industry.