#Natural Fibers

2025-06-26

151st General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange

Economic change and personnel decisions were the dominant themes on the agenda of the Annual General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange on 26 June 2025. During the meeting, the new Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the raw material association, which is now almost 153 years old, were elected. Fritz. A. Grobien will take over as President.

The new President Fritz A. Grobien (left), Vice-President Stephanie Silber, outgoing President Jean-Paul Haessig and Vice-President Jens D. Lukaczik © 2025 Bremen Cotton Exchange

Focus on Global Economic Risks – ARD Stock Market Expert Anja Kohl visits Bremen – Fritz A. Grobien elected as President

ARD stock market expert Anja Kohl provided food for thought with a keynote speech on the current situation of the global economy. The event thus combined forward-looking personnel decisions with a professional look at the global challenges facing the industry.

Election of the Executive Committee

The General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange elected Fritz A. Grobien as the new President of the long-established association. Grobien is the Managing Partner of Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG in Bremen. As a member of a Bremen merchant family, he brings many years of professional experience from his work on the trading floor of the globally networked cotton industry. He is also Managing Director of the Haus Seefahrt Foundation, founded in 1545. This traditional institution is one of the oldest charitable organisations still in existence worldwide. His grandfather and father were both presidents of the Bremen Cotton Exchange in the 1970s and 1980s. In his younger years, Fritz A. Grobien himself held the office of president for a two-year term in 1991, and again in 1999 and 2012. He was also a member of the Executive Committee for many years, remaining Vice President to this day. From 2004 to 2005, he was as first non-British citizen President of the International Cotton Association in Liverpool. During his tenure, he laid the foundation for a lasting institutional link between Liverpool and Bremen. This is evident today in the joint venture ICA Bremen GmbH, a recognised centre with the global arbitration tribunal for international cotton testing and quality assessment, based in the Bremen Cotton Exchange building.

“I am convinced that as the Bremen Cotton Exchange, we have always managed to overcome the challenges facing the global cotton trade structure thanks to our core competence in cotton quality and our international network. In line with our principles, we remain the international centre of quality in the cotton world, combining expertise, independence and strength. The International Cotton Conference Bremen, which takes place every two years in Bremen, underlines our role as a global hub”, said Grobien after his election.

The outgoing President Jean-Paul Haessig, Director of Asian Cotton Traders Pte. Ltd., a trading company based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Singapore, will remain on the Executive Committee of the Bremen Cotton Exchange as Vice-President.

“The past few years have undoubtedly been challenging for the cotton textile industry. The economic and global political situation does not seem to be stabilising. Planned legal requirements and bureaucratic regulations for supply chains continue to present a challenge to the industry in Europe. As President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange, I have seen it as one of my tasks to ensure maximum transparency among our members and to represent the interests of the natural fibre cotton vis-à-vis the EU administration. This is particularly evident in the ‘Make the Label Count’ initiative, which is supported by many people around the world and aims to promote natural fibres. I believe that the Bremen Cotton Exchange is well positioned for the future thanks to a reorganisation over the last two years and the creation of the strategically important position of Managing Director,” explains Jean-Paul Haessig.

The Executive Committee also comprises Vice-Presidents Stephanie Silber, Managing Director of Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen, and Jens D. Lukaczik, Managing Partner of the service company Cargo Control Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bremen.

Keynote: The threat to free global trade and financial markets

Anja Kohl, renowned journalist and ARD stock market expert, impressed as guest speaker with an insightful presentation on the state of international markets. With her extensive expertise and ability to convey complex economic relationships in an understandable way, she offered participants valuable insights into economic policy, particularly with regard to the impact of structural, cyclical and political developments in the financial sector. In the subsequent discussion, she was available to answer questions from the guests, ensuring a lively and informative exchange.

Regulations and election of the new Board of Directors

The 151^st Ordinary General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange, held in the 153^rd year since the association was founded, approved the financial statements, accepted the Board of Directors’ annual report for the 2024 financial year, and unanimously discharged the Board and management.

The voluntary members of the Board and Executive Committee represent companies from all areas of the cotton supply chain, from trade and processing to specialised service providers. This diversity gives the association a broad network of expertise and access to valuable global information resources, not only within the international cotton sector but also throughout the entire textile industry.

The newly elected Executive Committee and new Board of Directors of the Bremen Cotton Exchange at a glance:

• President Fritz A. Grobien, Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG, Bremen (Germany)

• Vice-President Jean-Paul Haessig, Asian Cotton Traders Pte. Ltd., Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt (Vietnam)/Singapore

• Vice-President Jens D. Lukaczik, Cargo Control Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bremen (Germany)

• Vice-President Stephanie Silber, Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen (Germany)

• Hannes Drolle, Getzner Textil AG, Bludenz (Austria)

• Ernst Grimmelt, Velener Textil GmbH, Velen (Germany)

• Carl Illi, CWC Textil AG, Zürich (Switzerland)

• Jan Kettelhack, Hch. Kettelhack GmbH & Co. KG, Rheine (Germany)

• Dr. Uwe Mazura, Gesamtverband der deutschen Textil- und Modeindustrie e.V., Berlin (Germany)

• Konrad Schröer, SETEX-Textil-GmbH, Hamminkeln-Dingden (Germany)

• Roland Stelzer, Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel GmbH & Co., Bempflingen (Germany)

• Axel Trede, Cotton Service International GmbH, Bremen (Germany) Advisory Board Member:

• Manfred Kern, Vereinigung Textilindustrie (VTI), Vienna (Austria)

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.

The Woolmark Company showcases Australia's commitment to India's textile industry at Bharat Tex 2026

Reinforcing more than five decades of commitment to India's wool textile and apparel industry, The Woolmark Company, alongside Austrade and the Australian High Commission, marked a strong presence at Bharat Tex 2026, one of the world's largest textile and apparel trade platforms. Through industry engagement, strategic collaborations, technical innovation and knowledge exchange, the participation underscored Australia's continued commitment to supporting the growth and transformation of India's textile ecosystem while highlighting the versatility and value of Australian Merino wool.

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.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.