#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.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.

Cotton Incorporated appoints Bev Sylvester as Chief Marketing Officer

Cotton Incorporated announces the appointment of Bev Sylvester as chief marketing officer. In this newly created role, Sylvester will oversee Cotton Incorporated’s marketing strategy, brand positioning, consumer engagement and global outreach to increase demand for cotton and strengthen its relevance in the marketplace.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

FITA, ABIT and EURATEX underline strategic importance of Mercosur – EU Partnership Agreement for the textile and apparel industry

The Argentine Textile Industry Federation (FITA), the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association (ABIT), and the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) continue to monitor the process of internalizing the Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement. This agreement is essential for the competitiveness of our industries, on both sides of the Atlantic.