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#Raw Materials

Official approval granted for Esquel Group’s new Sea Island Cotton variety "Yuan Loong 30"

Esquel Group Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed a new self-bred Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) variety named "Yuan Loong 30," which has been officially approved and designated by the 11th Main Crop Variety Assessment Committee of Xinjiang. With this addition, Esquel has now successfully bred and named a total of six Sea Island cotton varieties, including "Xinhai 33", "Xinhai 50", "Xinhai 55", "Xinhai 63", "Yuan Loong 17" and "Yuan Loong 30".
Cotton
Cotton "Yuan Loong 30" © 2025 Esquel


The breeding process of "Yuan Loong 30" spanned over a decade, undergoing one year of variety comparison trials, two years of regional trials, and one year of production testing. Notably, this variety is the first ELS cotton variety from Esquel to receive both official approval and plant variety rights—a significant breakthrough in cotton breeding. 

"Yuan Loong 30" demonstrates exceptional characteristics, featuring vigorous growth and high yield with good disease resistance, achieving over 16% increase in yield. It also boasts high lint percentage and excellent fiber quality, which not only enhances production efficiency but also effectively meets the demands for high-quality yarn production. 

Premium ELS cotton serves as a cornerstone of Esquel’s vertically integrated supply chain. The successful approval of its sixth new variety provides essential raw material support for building an advanced textile industry chain. This further aids in the development of high-count combed yarns, premium functional fabrics, and luxury garment series, enhancing product value and market competitiveness. These breeding breakthroughs also inject strong momentum into the transformation and upgrading of Xinjiang’s ELS cotton industry, promoting high-quality and sustainable development of China’s cotton and textile industries.



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#Raw Materials

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

HKUST & Esquel unveil five-year study: Empowering students for sustainable innovation

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”) has partnered with Esquel Enterprises Limited (“Esquel Group”) to launch a five-year study program that allows HKUST students to conduct biannual field research at the textile manufacturer’s 500,000-square-meter Sustainable Development Garden Integral, recognized as one of China’s top 20 sustainable development projects by the United Nations.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Esquel and China Recycling Group sign strategic cooperation agreement

On April 23, 2025, Guangdong Esquel and China Recycling Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Wuxi, Jiangsu. The partnership aims to promote the recycling and reuse of waste textiles, supporting China’s carbon neutrality goals.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Integral highlights sustainable innovation at GREENEXT EXPO

Integral, the sustainable development garden of Esquel Group, a leading global knowledge-based innovation company, participated in the prestigious “GREENEXT EXPO” in Shanghai, unveiling its innovative achievements in sustainable development. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)’s advocacy of ESG principles, the event brought together industry leaders to explore the future of sustainable development and ESG practices.

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#Raw Materials

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.

#Raw Materials

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.

#Natural Fibers

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.

#Raw Materials

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.

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#Techtextil 2026

DIENES at Techtextil 2026: Flexible pilot lines for bio-based fiber development

The growing relevance of bio-based materials in technical textiles is accompanied by increasing demands for reproducibility, high-quality data, and scalable process routes. Especially when working with cellulose and its derivatives, chitosan, lignin-based approaches, or bio-based PAN as a carbon-fiber precursor, R&D teams face variable feedstock quality, tighter process windows, and the need for reliable comparability across trials. This calls for flexible, data-driven experimental setups that can be reconfigured efficiently when recipes, solvents, and raw-material batches change.

#Texprocess 2026

Gunold showcases embroidery product range and services at Texprocess

At Texprocess 2026, GUNOLD will present numerous hands-on examples related to embroidery in Hall 8, Booth E20. The focus is on creative embroidery designs as well as the extensive product range of threads, nonwovens, and accessories for embroidery and embellishment. “Trade visitors can once again look forward to many new and creative embroidery designs. Of course, we will also showcase the matching products required to bring these ideas to life,” announces Marketing Manager Stephan Gunold.

#Nonwovens

EDANA and more than 70 industry organisations call for consistent exemptions in EU packaging regulation

EDANA, together with more than 70 industry associations and organisations, has issued a joint statement commenting on the European Commission’s Delegated Act under Article 29 of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

#Techtextil 2026

Where performance becomes product strategy: Techtextil 2026 puts functional apparel in the spotlight

The demand for high-performance textile solutions for the apparel industry increases – and with it the sector’s innovative strength. Techtextil 2026 addresses these developments: The Performance Apparel Textiles area (Hall 9.0) presents around 130 exhibitors from 13 countries showcasing innovative materials for workwear, protective clothing, smart fashion, outdoor and sports. Global key players such as Concordia Textiles, Getzner, Kermel, Klopman International and YKK Europe are among the participants. The live show “Performance Apparels on Stage” brings forward-looking wearables on stage and demonstrates textile innovations where they matter most: in action.

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