#Raw Materials

2021-05-27

World Cotton Research Conference has been delayed until October 2022

When the seventh World Cotton Research Conference (WCRC-7) was cancelled last year after it became clear it wouldn't be possible to hold an in-person event during a pandemic, it was a great disappointment to the research community. Unfortunately, lingering uncertainty regarding COVID has forced the organisers to once again delay the event, which is held every four years.

The 2021 World Cotton Research Conference (WCRC):

Was scheduled to be held 3-7 October in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Has been delayed by a year for a second time due to ongoing pandemic uncertainty

Will now be held next year on the same dates and in the same location

'We waited as long as we could before making this decision, especially after the disappointment over last year's postponement', said Dr Keshav Kranthi, Chief Scientist of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). 'But with uncertainty about vaccines and possible new variants, we came to the conclusion that delaying the event again in 2021 was our best choice'.

As a result, the WCRC has been rescheduled for 2022 in the same place and at the same time as the 2021 conference was supposed to be held: 3-7 October in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

The organisers announced that they will reconvene to evaluate the situation in March or April of next year. It was agreed that it was important to keep the event as an in-person event as this was where the maximum benefit could be gained from cotton researchers interacting with their peers.

Because the 2021 WCRC Proceedings — a massive tome packed with a variety of in-depth research papers — has already been completed, it will be released in June 2021 as Volume 1 and a new set of Proceedings – Volume 2 — will be created for the 2022 WCRC. An announcement will be made when Volume 1 of the Proceedings are available.

ICAC’s 84th Plenary Meeting to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt

Registration will soon be open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt. The local Organizing Committee in Egypt has chosen “Building a Resilient and Competitive Future for Cotton and Textiles” as the theme for the event, which will be held at the Rixos Montaza Alexandria Resort.

Global cotton production projected to outpace consumption, but risks remain

Global cotton production is projected to reach 26.2 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, marginally outpacing estimated consumption of 25.9 million tonnes. However, early-season production risks — including weather volatility and pest pressures — could narrow that buffer as the crop progresses, according to the September 2026 issue of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

Global garment trade nears USD 550 billion as competition intensifies

The global garment industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, with knit and woven garments together accounting for nearly 60% of world textile exports in 2025, according to the August 2026 issue of The Textiles Observer, a free publication from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

ALLIED expands down traceability with lot-level carbon footprint data

ALLIED Feather + Down has expanded its TrackMyDown traceability platform to include validated cradle-to-gate carbon footprint data linked to individual down lots. The initiative is designed to provide brands and consumers with more detailed environmental information on the materials used in finished products and could also support future data requirements associated with Digital Product Passports.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues 2026 concludes with 50 international participants immersed in Brazilian cotton production

The Cotton Brazil Dialogues concludes its 2026 edition after a series of technical visits to farms, cotton gins and reference centers, as well as workshops focused on Brazilian cotton production. A total of 50 participants from 14 countries took part in the field trips. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), with support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.