#Raw Materials

2021-02-11

Technical advancement secures the future – cotton processing procedures

In just a few weeks, the International Cotton Conference Bremen will be launched worldwide. This time the organisers, the Bremen Cotton Exchange and the Fibre Institute Bremen, are presenting a future-oriented conference platform in digital format. It is available to professionals from science and practice anywhere in the world. In addition to subjects such as production, sustainability in the cotton sector, and exciting new products made from cotton, several sessions will focus on the heart of the Bremen conference: the technical lectures.

Technical Progress is Gaining Momentum

Cotton processing procedures are becoming more and more productive and intelligent. This is illustrated by a series of lectures by representatives from the fields of textile research and textile machine manufacturing on production processes. On both conference days there will be a session chaired by Stefan Schmidt. Schmidt is a long-standing advisor for science and technology at the Industry Association for Finishing, Yarns, Fabrics and Technical Textiles (IVGT), Frankfurt, Germany.

Among others, the presentations include the following:

Innovative Products from Recycled Raw Materials

Stephan Baz is Head of the Staple Fibre Technology Division in the Research and Development Department of the German Institute for Textile and Fibre Research (DITF), Denkendorf, Germany. “How does recycled raw material behave during spinning?” Baz discusses this question in his lecture and includes cotton, polyester and technical fibres made of carbon. Based on the respective properties of the raw materials, he presents concepts for converting recycled raw materials into new yarns and innovative products for special applications.

Spinning Fibres into Quality Yarns with a High Proportion of Short Fibres

“Spinning with a high short fibre content” is the topic of an informative lecture by Harald Schwippl. Schwippl is Head of Technology and Process Analytics at machinery manufacturer Rieter AG, Winterthur, Switzerland. He presents the results of a technical study for a rotor spinning process to produce yarn from cotton with high short fibre content and/or admixtures of short-staple noils. The rotor process offers improvements in the area of yarn nonuniformity compared to conventional processes and reduces production costs.

Improved Carding Technology for More Quality and Production Performance

Ralf Müller is Head of Research and Development in the field of spinning technology at textile machinery manufacturer Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG, Mönchengladbach. In the carding process, the cotton fibres are aligned following a pre-cleaning process. In his presentation, Müller presents a new method for ensuring that the carding gap between the cylinder and flat clothing is as small as possible. Intelligent sensor technology ensures that the carding gap is automatically set within the machine and kept constant. A minimal carding gap previously not achieved in practice creates new potential for increasing the quality and productivity of carded cotton.

Card Sliver in Spinning Mill © Jean-Paul Haessig

Minimising Cotton Contamination Before Processing

Oswald Baldischwieler, Product Manager Online Systems at Uster Technologies AG, Uster, Switzerland, presents the results of a five-year practical study of the Total Contamination Control System (TTC) in 236 spinning mills in nine major textile producing countries including China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey and Vietnam. The TTC offers 24/7 online quality monitoring at all relevant stages within the spinning process. Ultimately, even the smallest contamination can lead to considerable quality impairments. Uster assumes that contamination in cotton deliveries is not likely to decrease, but rather increase in the future.

Less Hairiness with Fine-Thread, High-Quality Ring-Spun Yarn

Stuart Gordon is a Senior Scientist with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in the Agriculture and Food Division based in Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia. Controlling the hairiness of ring yarns is an important research focus within ring spinning. There is great interest in the spinning sector in reducing undesirable hairiness and any resulting pilling effects in yarns using new techniques at low investment costs. A new unit presented by Stuart Gordon makes this possible.

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.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen: Let´s Talk about Cotton!

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, to be held on 25-27 March 2026 in Bremen’s parliament building on market square, once again sends a powerful signal for professional excellence and international dialogue. The focus is on the latest market trends and technical innovations throughout the entire value chain – from agriculture and quality assurance to processing and the circular economy. With its high-calibre speakers, the conference remains an indispensable forum for anyone involved in shaping the cotton industry scientifically, technically, or economically.

38th International Cotton Conference Bremen launches registration and unveils key topics

Participants can now register online for the 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen, which will be held on 25-27 March 2026 at the Haus der Bürgerschaft parliament building on market square. All visitors can look forward to a high-calibre conference programme, numerous additional meetings and a valuable exchange of knowledge and information. The comprehensive range of topics covering the entire value chain will provide practical expertise, address current developments, answer key industry questions, and provide new impetus for the future.

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.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.

Stäubli demonstrates how innovation translates into real benefits for weaving mills at SITEX 2026

One of India’s most prominent textile industry events, SITEX 2026, is held from February 21 to 23 in Surat. Committed to empowering Indian weaving mills with state‑of‑the‑art solutions tailored to regional needs, Stäubli will present a selection of solutions designed for performance, reliability, and power efficiency. Through its weaving preparation, cam and dobby shedding solutions and Jacquard technologies, Stäubli highlights its global expertise tailored to the specific needs of the local market.