#Raw Materials

2018-07-18

Registration now open for ICAC’s 77th Plenary Meeting in Côte d’Ivoire

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has opened registration for its 77th Plenary Meeting, scheduled for 2-6 December, 2018, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The conference will be held at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire under the theme, ‘Cotton Challenges: Smart and Sustainable Solutions’.

The ICAC’s 77th Plenary Meeting:

Will be held in Abidjan, capital of Côte d'Ivoire, 2-6 December, 2018, at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire
Has ‘Cotton Challenges: Smart and Sustainable Solutions’ as its theme
s expected to draw more than 500 senior government officials, researchers and private-sector professionals from the world’s top cotton-producing and cotton-consuming countries
Is intended to help governments formulate policy that benefits the hundreds of millions of people around the world who depend on cotton for their livelihood
Attendees can register at https://www.eiseverywhere.com/icac.org

Registration Now Open for ICAC’s 77th Plenary Meeting in Cote D’Ivoire

As the only intergovernmental body for the cotton industry, the Plenary Meeting is expected to draw more than 500 senior government officials, researchers and private-sector professionals from all sectors of the global cotton and textile value chains.

Expert speakers will share their insights on the industry’s greatest challenges and opportunities, including:

The use of drones and robotics;
Pesticide resistance;
The impact of climate change;
New developments in biotechnology; and
Refuting the cotton myths and misinformation perpetrated in the media.

‘Plenary Meetings are unique because they are specifically designed to help governments gain a better understanding of — and to debate — the most pressing issues facing the cotton industry’, said ICAC Executive Director Kai Hughes. ‘They use that information to develop global initiatives, harmonise procedures and agree on global strategies. The cotton value chain provides an income for millions of families across the globe, and no one is in a better position to improve those people’s lives than their governments’.

The 77th Plenary Meeting will also mark the debut of ICAC’s new app for attendees, which can be downloaded to an iPhone or Android smartphone, or accessed via the Internet. Users will be able to create their own customised programme, view information about sessions and speakers, instantly exchange contact information with other attendees, and more — all at the tap of a button.

To register for ICAC’s 77th Plenary Meeting and download the attendee app, please visit:

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/icac.org

ICAC to support European Commission on pending PEF legislation

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is proud to announce that it has been included as a member of the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) on the Product Environmental Footprint methodology. The Commission developed the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organizations.

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.

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.

OEKO-TEX® chooses TextileGenesis to advance digital traceability for organic cotton

OEKO-TEX® today announced a full collaboration with TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to digitally trace and authenticate organic cotton, strengthening fraud prevention across the supply chain. This announcement follows a successful pilot and brings together OEKO-TEX®’s certification expertise and closed testing system with TextileGenesis’ digital traceability platform to deliver a secure, end-to-end solution for managing certified organic cotton flows.

“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.