#Raw Materials

2026-06-02

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.

Dr Vigneshwaran is a distinguished cotton scientist with academic qualifications in Agriculture, Agricultural Microbiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Operations Management. He has emerged as a global leader in nanotechnological innovations for cotton cultivation, processing, textiles, and biomass utilization. His pioneering research spans nanocellulose from cotton linters and stalks, nanofinishing of cotton textiles, nanofertilizers, biohydrogen production from cotton biomass, and value-added applications of cotton residues.

Over the past two decades, Dr Vigneshwaran has developed several breakthrough technologies that have had significant scientific and industrial impact. His nano-silver and nano-zinc oxide finishing technologies for cotton fabrics impart more than 99% antibacterial activity and UPF 50+ ultraviolet protection with wash durability of up to 20 cycles, and have been licensed for commercial production. He also led the development of energy-efficient nanocellulose production technologies from cotton linters and comber noil, reducing energy consumption by more than 50%. Under his leadership, India’s first pilot plant for nanocellulose production from cotton biomass, with a capacity of 10 kg per 8-hour shift, has been operational since 2015. Additional innovations include specialty-grade paper production from cotton comber noil blended with banana fibre and antimicrobial technologies licensed to the Bank Note Paper Mill, Mysuru, India.

Dr Vigneshwaran’s scientific contributions are reflected in more than 35 high-impact cotton-related research papers published in leading international journals. Several of his publications have achieved exceptional global recognition, with individual papers receiving more than 700, 650, 360, 340, and 250 citations, respectively. He has also authored or co-authored 11 books and book chapters published by internationally renowned publishers including Elsevier, Springer, CRC Press, Wiley-VCH, Woodhead Publishing, and Nova Science Publishers. His innovations are protected through four granted Indian patents covering microbial synthesis of silver nanoparticles, production of cellulose nanoparticles, nanocellulose manufacturing technologies, and novel nanosulphur production methods.

His outstanding achievements have earned numerous national and international honors. Nationally, he is a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and a Fellow of the Textile Association (India). He has received the Sajjan Gupta-Konark Memorial Award, AMI Young Scientist Award, MRSI Prize, DOGRA Educational Endowment Award, and several technology commercialization awards. Internationally, he received the prestigious ICRA-Asia Young Scientist Innovation Award (2019), the NASI-Scopus Young Scientist Award (2014), recognition for a Top-Cited Elsevier Paper, and has been listed continuously among Stanford University and Elsevier’s World’s Top 2% Scientists from 2020 to 2025.

Through his innovative research, successful technology commercialization, scholarly excellence, and leadership in cotton nanotechnology, Dr Vigneshwaran has made exceptional contributions to advancing the scientific, industrial, and sustainability dimensions of the global cotton sector. His work has expanded opportunities for value addition in cotton, strengthened the competitiveness of cotton-based industries, and demonstrated the transformative potential of advanced technologies in creating a more sustainable future for cotton.

The ICAC Researcher of the Year Award is among the highest international recognitions in cotton research. It honors scientists whose research has made outstanding and lasting contributions to cotton science, technology, sustainability, productivity, and value addition. Dr Vigneshwaran exemplifies these ideals through a career marked by innovation, scientific excellence, and tangible impact on the global cotton community.

Global cotton consumption to exceed production in 2026/27 as Asian demand remains resilient

Global cotton consumption is projected to exceed production in the 2026/27 season as output declines across several major producing countries while demand remains relatively stable, according to the November edition of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

ICAC announces 84th Plenary Meeting in Egypt with focus on cotton industry resilience

Registration is now open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, which will take place from 24 to 26 March 2027 in Alexandria, Egypt. The conference will address climate resilience, technological developments, sustainability and competitiveness across the global cotton and textile value chain.

New Cotton Review examines competitiveness, market risk, and opportunities

From moving record volumes of Brazilian cotton to market, to managing price volatility, unlocking Ethiopia’s production potential, and strengthening African textile trade, the latest edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation examines some of the most consequential opportunities and challenges facing the global cotton industry.

Kraig Labs ships first commercial spider silk yarn

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced the shipment of its first commercial order of recombinant spider silk yarn. The custom-engineered yarn was produced to fulfill a purchase commitment from a globally recognized performance sports brand and is slated for development into a first-of-its-kind performance textile.

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.

Trützschler brings intelligent fiber processing and automation to India ITME 2026

From December 4 to 9, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its latest innovations in spinning, card clothing and nonwovens at India ITME in Greater Noida, India. At Hall 11, Booth B15, visitors can discover solutions designed to increase productivity, reduce operating costs and ensure consistently high product quality. Key highlights include the intelligent card TC 26i, the 12-head comber TCO 21XL, innovative card clothing solutions for improved fiber utilization and quality, as well as advanced nonwovens technologies for hygiene, wipes and technical applications.

Circulose resumes recycling of discarded cotton textiles and appoints interim CEO

Circulose today announced its restart of commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The Ortviken plant is the world’s first commercial-scale chemical textile recycling facility. Its restart demonstrates that the fashion industry is seeking ways to scale proven solutions that move beyond pilots and into commercial production.

Itema brings textile versatility to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026

Itema announces its participation in ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, taking place November 20–24 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. In Hall 3 – Stand D06, the company will showcase two Galileo-RX rapier weaving machines weaving heavy denim and conveyor belt fabrics, demonstrating its ability to address different textile requirements with application-specific configurations. Five additional Itema machines at partner booths will extend the exhibition lineup to upper shoe fabric, label, Jacquard leno fabrics, and shirting, offering visitors a broader view of Itema rapier and air-jet weaving technologies.