#Raw Materials

2022-06-30

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Stephanie Silber Re-elected President in the Anniversary Year

The 148th Annual General Assembly of the Bremen Cotton Exchange took place on 30 June 2022, in the 150th year of the association. The Board of Directors re-elected Stephanie Silber (42), Managing Director of Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen, as President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.

Jean-Paul Haessig (60), Director of Asian Cotton Traders PTE Ltd., Vietnam, is a newly elected Vice President. The previous Vice Presidents Jens D. Lukaczik (56), Managing Partner of the service company Cargo Control Germany GmbH & Co. KG in Bremen and Fritz A. Grobien (64), Managing Partner of Albrecht, Müller-Pearse & Co. Trade (GmbH & Co.) KG, Bremen were confirmed in office. Ernst Grimmelt (55), Managing Partner of the spinning and weaving mill Velener Textil GmbH in Velen, North Rhine-Westphalia, resigned as a long-standing member of the Executive Committee, but will continue to provide advice and support as a member of the Board.

Jean Paul Haessig (c) 2022 Bremen Cotton Exchange

President Stephanie Silber said at the General Assembly: “It is a great honour and a pleasure for me to continue to lead the Bremen Cotton Exchange in this anniversary year. The next highlight will certainly be our week of celebrations in September with the International Cotton Conference. Personal exchange has been missing for too long and is all the more important in view of the geopolitical situation and ongoing challenges in the cotton industry. The uncertain political situation and worsening logistics problems, as well as future challenges, mean that there is a lot to talk about. Last but not least, the international exchange with network partners, members and stakeholders is one of the core tasks of the Bremen Cotton Exchange.”

The General Assembly approved the filing of accounts, accepted the Board of Directors’ annual report of the for the 2021 financial year and unanimously discharged the Board of Directors and management. Given the special situation caused by the pandemic and in view of the desire for continuous personal representation in the anniversary year, the Board had proposed extending the term of office of President Silber by one year.

Jens Lukaczik (c) 2022 Bremen Cotton Exchange

Stephanie Silber (c) 2022 Bremen Cotton Exchange

Election of the Board of Directors

During the General Assembly, the Board of Directors was elected. New to the Board is Dr Uwe Mazura, General Manager of the Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry. Konrad Schroer, Setex-Textil-GmbH, Hamminkeln-Dingden, resigned from the board in line with regulations, and was duly re-elected. Peter Spoerry, Spoerry 1886 AG, Flums/Switzerland, was also reappointed to the Board. He also represents the Swiss textile industry.

Other members of the Board are:

Hannes Drolle, Getzner Textil AG, Bludenz/Austria, Henning Hammer, Otto Stadtlander GmbH, Bremen, responsible for the Asian business in Shanghai, Jan Kettelhack, Hch. Kettelhack GmbH + Co. KG, Rheine, Roland Stelzer, Gebr. Elmer & Zweifel GmbH & Co. KG, Bempflingen and Axel Trede, Cotton Service International GmbH, Bremen. Manfred Kern represents the Association of the Austrian Textile, Fashion, Shoe and Leather Industry as an advisory member of the Board.

Fritz Grobien (c) 2022 Bremen Cotton Exchange

Guest Lecture: 100 Percent Cotton

This year's guest speaker, Prof. Wiebke Ahrndt, Director of the Übersee-Museum Bremen (Bremen Overseas Museum), spoke on the subject of 100 percent cotton. In her presentation, she addressed the importance of cotton as a raw material not only for the Hanseatic City of Bremen, but also for the emergence of overseas trade and globalisation. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Bremen Cotton Exchange, the Übersee-Museum Bremen is opening a cotton exhibition in September which looks at the cultural story of the raw material in the past, present and future.

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

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.

EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week

Today marks the official commencement of the World Continence Week. To honour this global awareness initiative, EDANA has published a comprehensive report titled "The Central Role of Absorbent Hygiene Products in the Management of Adult Urinary Incontinence: Benefits, Costs and Environmental Impact." The World Continence Week (WCW) is an annual global initiative dedicated to raising public awareness about incontinence and bladder or bowel health issues. Traditionally held in June, this awareness week aims to shed light on a condition that affects millions of people worldwide but is frequently kept secret due to widespread social stigma, embarrassment, and taboo.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

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.