#Raw Materials

2020-06-18

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Board elects Stephanie Silber president

In line with the Articles of Association, the election to the Executive Committee was held on 18 June on the occasion of the 146th Annual General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.

Stephanie Silber (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

With Stephanie Silber (40), the Board of Directors has elected a female president for the first time. Stephanie Silber has been Managing Director of Otto Stadtlander GmbH for many years, an internationally networked Bremen cotton trading company with a long tradition and 100 years of history.

The previous President, Jens D. Lukaczik (54), Managing Partner of the globally operating service company Cargo Control Germany GmbH & Co. KG, remains on the Executive Committee as Vice President. Also Ernst Grimmelt (53), Managing Director of the Europe-wide spinning and weaving mill with a focus on innovation and sustainability, Velener Textil GmbH in Velen, Westphalia was re-elected as Vice President. The same applies to Fritz A. Grobien (62), who has many years of experience in the cotton trade and is Managing Partner of Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG.

Jens D. Lukacik, Fritz A. Grobien, Ernst Grimmelt (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

“Like the whole world, the cotton industry is struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent of which is yet to be seen”, said the newly elected President. “It is all the more important to promote cooperation and the exchange of information, but above all understanding between cotton producers, cotton traders and cotton processors. The Bremen Cotton Exchange is closely connected to all of these segments and through its importance in the textile chain can provide support during this difficult situation. I’m looking forward to helping shape this challenge as President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.”

Roland Stelzer (c) 2020 Bremer Baumwollbörse

Roland Stelzer new to the Board

New elections to the Board of Directors were also held during the General Assembly. Roland Stelzer, Managing Director of Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel GmbH & Co. KG, Bempflingen, was newly elected to the now enlarged board. Other members of the Board are: Hannes Drolle, Getzner Textil AG, Bludenz, Austria; Jean-Paul Haessig, RCMA Asia PTE LTD, Singapore; Henning Hammer, Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen, in Shanghai responsible for the Asian business; Jan Kettelhack, Hch. Kettelhack GmbH + Co.KG, Rheine; Konrad Schröer, Setex-Textil GmbH, Hamminkeln-Dingden; Peter Spoerry, Spoerry 1886 AG, Flums, also in the function as a representative of the Swiss textile industry, and Axel Trede, Cotton Service International GmbH, Bremen. Manfred Kern sits on the board as an advisory member from the Austrian textile industry.

A special feature of the Bremen Cotton Exchange: The members of the Executive Board and the Executive Committee largely belong to companies from various areas of the cotton supply chain, such as trade, processing and services. This gives the association access to an extensive network and worldwide information resources within the global cotton textile sector.

Due to the current contact restrictions, the General Assembly could not take place as usual in Bremen this year. The necessary votes of the ordinary members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange were carried out in advance by means of a written vote. The old and new Board met in the form of a web meeting.

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.

Beyond the wardrobe – innovative cotton takes the spotlight

Cotton can do more – a lot more. Cutting-edge textiles and high-tech products made from 100% cotton prove just how powerfully performance and sustainability can come together. That very surge of innovation is front and centre at the 38th Bremen Cotton Conference, taking place March 25–27, 2026, at Bremen’s Parliament on the historic market square – culminating in a bold and dedicated closing session on Friday. In the spotlight: performance upgrades for pure cotton, smart strategies for circular textile waste solutions, and pioneering concepts for demanding technical applications. From natural fibre–reinforced composites to highly effective flame-retardant solutions, cotton steps out of the closet and shows the future potential woven into every fibre.

Dr N Vigneshwaran is named 2026 ICAC Researcher of the Year

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr N Vigneshwaran, Principal Scientist and Head of the Chemical and Biochemical Processing Division at the ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), Mumbai, India, as the ICAC Researcher of the Year 2026.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.