#Raw Materials

2022-07-14

Keynote sessions announced for 36th International Cotton Conference Bremen

Nils Haupt, Hapag-Lloyd © 2022 Hapag-Lloyd

The Bremen Cotton Exchange and the Bremen Fibre Institute e.V. together are inviting to the 36th International Cotton Conference Bremen on 29. and 30. September. Under the Slogan “Cotton Decoded” the conference participants will be offered an ambitious programme with topical lectures and lively discussion groups on location in Bremen as well as online via a conference platform. Bremen stands for quality – as especially the International Cotton Conference Bremen confirms impressively with its regularly up to 500 participants from 40 countries that are part of the cotton supply chain.

THE KEYNOTE SESSIONS

• Expert Outlook Raw Materials,

• Expert Outlook Cargo,

• Expert Outlook Finances

Strong Keynotes

“Over the last years, the keynotes have emerged as an ambitious item on the programme before the actual conference programme in Bremen. First-rate experts speak about topics that move the raw material world and challenge it economically”, emphasises Elke Hortmeyer, responsible for communication and international relationships at the Bremen Cotton Exchange and co-organiser of the International Cotton Conference.

Commodity Markets and Logistics

Strong keynotes will also ring in the two conference days of the upcoming conference. On the Thursday, Colin Iles, Executive Manager, Marketing Cotton & Sugar at the internationally acting raw material concern Glencore/Viterra, Rotterdam, will cast a glance into the future of cotton. Colin Iles need not be introduced to the cotton world. The experienced trader of raw materials has been working in his field for a long time. His view of the developments in the global commodity markets offers important and exclusive insights to all participants.

Colin Iles, Glencore/Viterra © 2022 Glencore/Viterra

As the second speaker of the opening session and no less relevant, Nils Haupt has confirmed his participation as a sparring partner. Haupt is head of communications of Hapag- Lloyd AG, Hamburg, the biggest shipping company in Germany and the fifth biggest shipping company in the world. Haupt will address the future of maritime transport and questions of sustainability in cargo and also elaborate on the challenges within global supply chains.

International Financial Economy

On the second day of the conference, everything will revolve around finances. John Baffes is an expert on raw materials at the World Bank Washington, D.C. and chief economist in the group “Development Perspectives” of the World Bank. He is currently responsible for the “Commodity Markets Outlook”, a quarterly World Bank publication focusing on commodity market analyses and price prognoses. Participants can look forward to fascinating insights into current economic developments from the perspective of multinational development bank.

An equally heavy weight from a completely different area of finances comes from Frankfurt: Jörg de Vries- Hippen is Chief Investment Officer and member of the European Executive Committee at Allianz Global Investors.

For two decades, Allianz GI has been developing investment strategies for institutional as well as private clients from all over the world who are saving their assets with a view to the future. The market expertise of the company ranges from industrial to emerging countries, from single-country to global strategies. The investment volume amounts to 637 bn EUR. The perspective of the financial expert on developments within the world economy should be a fascinating one at the moment.

Bremen Cotton Night Special The Bremen Cotton Exchange and the Bremen Fibre Institute are inviting to the well-known and popular Bremen Cotton Night again this year again. It is characterised by the 150th anniversary of the Bremen Cotton Exchange and is for good reasons taking place in the Übersee-Museum (Overseas Museum) Bremen this time: concurrently that evening, the doors of the museum are opening for an impressive exhibition on the cultural history of cotton. This way, it also becomes accessible for the international guests of the Cotton Conference. “The participants of the conference will celebrate in the big atrium of the museum. Enjoying good music and good food, they will at last be able once again to spin personal networks and at the same time to pass in review the multi- faceted world of cotton with a beautiful and well-conceived exhibition”, emphasises Stephanie Silber, President of the Bremen Cotton Exchange. In the anniversary year, the Bremen Cotton Night is included in the conference price.

John Baffes, World Bank © 2022 World Bank

This year´s International Cotton Conference is taking place in the anniversary year of the Bremen Cotton Exchange. The organisation was founded in 1872 and is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. The conference venue this year is not the historic town hall, but the Chamber of Commerce in Bremen in the immediate vicinity of the Cotton Exchange. The Chamber of Commerce has been representing the interests of trade in Bremen since 1451 and is in close contact with the Bremen Cotton Exchange.

Exterior view of the Übersee-Museums | CC BY-SA 4.0 Übersee-Museum Bremen, photo: Matthias Haase

Registration is underway

The starting gun for the registration has been fired: you can register at https://cotton-conference-bremen.de/ from now on. You will also find regularly updated information there.

We will continually inform about the International Cotton Conference on 29 and 30 September and about the complete programme in the run-up in the form of further press releases as well as target-group-specific newsletters and also via our social media channels.

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.

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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.

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.

Lenzing Group positions bio‑based materials as a strategic asset for Europe’s economic security

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, hosted a high‑level roundtable in Brussels to discuss how bio‑based materials can strengthen Europe’s economic security and support the shift toward a fossil‑free future. Organized in cooperation with Euractiv, the event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the UK Mission to the EU, academia, civil society, and industry.

International Women’s Day: Cotton made in Africa strengthens equality for women through targeted investments

On the occasion of International Women’s Day—which will be observed on 8 March under the motto “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”—the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), which is responsible for Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA), underlines its long-standing and ongoing commitment to the equality of women in African cotton production areas.

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 concludes, connecting buyers with innovative selection of sustainable yarns and fibres

Yarn Expo Spring 2026 wrapped up successfully on 13 March, as a record-high of over 600 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions welcomed more than 25,000 visitors from 113 countries and regions. Held across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2 of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair highlighted the textile industry’s accelerating shift toward a lower-impact, more functional future. Exhibitors presented eco-friendly organic, regenerated and recycled yarns and fibres, alongside innovative options such as sweat-resistant and high-performance materials. A comprehensive fringe programme further enriched the event, offering practical market insights and new networking opportunities.

ANDRITZ at Techtextil 2026: Sustainability and advanced technologies

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YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.