#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.

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.

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.

Global cotton production projected to outpace consumption, but risks remain

Global cotton production is projected to reach 26.2 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, marginally outpacing estimated consumption of 25.9 million tonnes. However, early-season production risks — including weather volatility and pest pressures — could narrow that buffer as the crop progresses, according to the September 2026 issue of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

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.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues 2026 concludes with 50 international participants immersed in Brazilian cotton production

The Cotton Brazil Dialogues concludes its 2026 edition after a series of technical visits to farms, cotton gins and reference centers, as well as workshops focused on Brazilian cotton production. A total of 50 participants from 14 countries took part in the field trips. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), with support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

FET highlights advances in fibre spinning technology at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) presented its latest developments in fibre spinning technology at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. In a presentation entitled “Spinning a good yarn”, Dr Jonny Hunter examined recent technological developments and challenges facing the fibre industry, highlighting the company's expanding range of specialised fibre extrusion and spinning systems.

Vietnam’s market evolution creates new sourcing opportunities at VIATT 2027

As Vietnam’s textile industry continues to upgrade and scale, new opportunities are emerging for suppliers of advanced raw materials, design-led fabrics, production technologies, and sustainability solutions. The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return 24 – 26 February 2027, presenting a cross-sector platform – spanning apparel, home and technical categories – for overseas companies to connect with manufacturers, brands, sourcing offices, retailers, and industry buyers from Vietnam, ASEAN, and beyond.

Textile performance for the global market: Heimtextil 2027 connects interior design, quality and global sourcing

With the new premium segment Carpets & Rugs Excellence, the Comfort & Connect area and the Heimtextil Trends 27/28, Heimtextil 2027 is sharpening its offering for a market under pressure. Today, textile products need to prove their quality, functionality and long-term value. From 12 to 15 January 2027, the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design showcases relevant innovations across the entire value chain: from fibres and yarns to designs by international studios and emerging talent, through to finished collections, functional contract textiles and complete interior solutions.