#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.

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

Aid by Trade Foundation reaches new milestones in supply chain transparency

The Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is reaching new milestones as it leads the way towards greater physical traceability for Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) cotton. With around 700 suppliers and producers in a total of 25 countries, the Aid by Trade Foundation has reached a new record number of partners who can trace CmiA cotton from the product back to its origin. This is more than double the previous year’s figure.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Selenis to double capacity in Portugal by Q3 2027 - Accelerating the Global transition to circular and low-carbon polyesters

Selenis, a global leader in high-performance specialty polyesters and part of the IMG Group, has announced a transformational expansion of its industrial headquarters in Portalegre, Portugal. This strategic investment is set to double the site’s production capacity by the third quarter of 2027, significantly accelerating the industrial scale-up of bio-based, medical-grade, and circular co-polyesters.

Independent testing confirms no detectable PFAS in Milliken firefighter turnout gear fabrics

Independent laboratory testing has confirmed that Milliken fabrics used in the manufacturing of firefighter turnout gear contain no detectable PFAS, based on third-party analysis conducted by Forever Analytical, an independent laboratory specializing in screening products and environmental samples for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles returns in August as global sourcing hub and trend barometer for home textiles industry

Following the conclusion of Heimtextil last month, the flagship fair in Messe Frankfurt’s global home and contract textiles portfolio, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition will return 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Building on the momentum generated in Frankfurt, the Shanghai fair will reinforce its position as the foremost home and contract textile platform in Asia – successfully bridging the gap between East and West, and connecting global product trends, supply-chain shifts, and buyer demand in one marketplace.