#Raw Materials

2021-06-03

2021 Cotton Biotechnology Award recipient – Dr. Shuangxia Jin

Dr. Shuangxia Jin was selected as the winner of the 2021 Cotton Biotechnology Award. He is a full professor at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZUA). Dr. Jin earned his Ph.D. in 2006 from HZAU and then was a postdoctoral scientist from 2007 to 2012 at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Jin has been working in plant biotechnology for 15 years and his current research involves insects (whitefly/aphid/lygus), cotton / host molecular interaction, and genome editing. Dr. Jin has published more than 60 peer reviewed papers in high impact journals such as Advanced Science, Genome Biology, Nature Communications, Trends in Plant Science, Plant Physiology, and New Phytologist. He is a Senior Editor of Plant Biotechnology Journal (PBJ) and Journal of Cotton Research.

Dr. Jin has made unique and significant contributions to the field of biotechnology in cotton. Dr. Jonathan Wendel, Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University, says this about Dr. Jin: “He is the global leader in cotton transformation technology, having led the development of new genotypes for transformation and regeneration, created the best CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas 12 (12a and 12b) systems for genomic editing, and published methods for revealing unanticipated or undesired (“off-target”) editing.” His research group developed two elite cotton genotypes, YZ-1 and Jin668, with the highest plant regeneration ability and transformation efficiency, increasing the cotton transformation efficiency from 20% in Coker 312 to 90% in YZ-1 and Jin 668.

The Cotton Biotechnology Award, endowed by a gift from Dr. Norma Trolinder in 2000, has been presented on eight previous occasions. The recipient receives a monetary award and a plaque. It is presented to a scientist or group of scientists for outstanding biotechnology research in cotton and is administered by the Agricultural and Environmental Research Department at Cotton Incorporated.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

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.

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.

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.