In 2025, with the support of the members of ISU Third Council, adhering to the purpose of “Communication & Cooperation, Development with Concerted Efforts”, ISU will continue to play its role as a platform for interconnection, mutual development, and win-win cooperation within the international silk industry, actively implement the work objectives of the Third Council, continuously strengthen international silk industry exchanges, carry out thematic research, enhance the global influence of ISU, improve the effectiveness of the industry and member services, strengthen the construction of the information platform, which contributes to the healthy, stable and sustainable development of the international silk industry. This year, ISU mainly carried out the following six key tasks.
I.Organize to hold the 2025 International Silk Union Members Assembly
On October 7, the "2025 International Silk Union Members Assembly" was held as scheduled and successfully concluded in Londrina, Brazil, at the invitation of Brazilian Silk Association, the vice- chairman unit of ISU. The meeting reported on the ISU's work progress in 2025, conducted keynote speeches focusing on "Overview of International Sericulture and Silk Production and Market Consumption" and "International Sericulture and Silk Technology Research and Innovation Development", and promoted the progress of the ISU Technical Groups’ work and international cooperation in key areas such as "Detecting Methods on the Raw Silk between Mulberry and Artificial feed Cocoons" "Electronic Testing and Quality Standards for High-Quality Raw Silk" and "Silk Sustainability".
Tiago Amaral, Mayor of Londrina, Brazil; Luiza Canziani, Secretary of Technology in Parana State, Brazil; Alex Canziani, Federal Deputy of Parana, Brazil; Chen Wenxing, Honorary Chairman of ISU, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University(ZSTU); Zhang Guoqiang, Chairman of ISU and Chairman of Cathaya Group; Renata Amano, Vice-Chairwoman of ISU, President of Brazilian Silk Association and CEO of BRATAC; Xavier Lepingle, Vice-Chairman of ISU, Vice-President of UNITEX and CEO of Holding Textile Hermès(HTH); Laura Sofia Clerici, Vice-Chairwoman of ISU and President of Italian Silk Office; Zhang Keqin, Representative of ISU Executive Members and Dean of College of Textile and Clothing Engineering of Soochow University;
S. B. Dandin, Representative of ISU Council Members and Vice-President of Silk Association of India; and nearly 100 representatives from government departments, industry organizations, silk enterprises, research institutions and textile machinery manufacturers from 12 countries including China, France, Italy, Brazil, India, Uzbekistan, Japan, Uganda, the Philippines, Cuba, Argentina and Paraguay attended the meeting online and offline.
During the same period of the meeting, ISU delegation visited the ISU member BRATAC sericulture farm and silk reeling factory, and WERNER's industry chain including upstream preparation, weaving, degumming, printing and dyeing and so on, and fully understood the production and development models of the entire Brazilian silk industry chain. After all events in Brazil, ISU Secretariat accompanied the delegation of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, ISU vice-chairman unit, to visit the new ISU members such as The School of Agriculture of University of Buenos Aires(FAUBA) and Faculty Regional Buenos Aires of National Technological University(FRBA-UTN) in Argentina. ISU Secretariat also took this opportunity to visit relevant institutions such as National Institute of Industrial Technologies(INTI) in Argentina to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between silk and textile field.
II.Strengthen International Silk Industry Visits and Exchanges
1. ISU Chairman Led a Delegation to Visit the Sericulture and Silk Industry in Three Southeast Asian Countries
From June 3 to 10, 2025, ISU Chairman Zhang Guoqiang and his delegation visited Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand in Southeast Asia, engaging in in-depth exchanges with relevant government departments, industry organizations in these three countries. In Hanoi, Vietnam, the delegation held in-depth discussions with the Vietnam Sericulture Research Centre on cocoon and silk technology research and development, silkworm variety breeding, and other areas. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the delegation held detailed discussions with the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia on how to support Cambodia's silk industry through international collaboration in the commercial and agricultural sectors. They also visited the relevant industrial bases in Cambodia of Cathaya Group, ISU Chairman Unit. In Bangkok, Thailand, the Chairman and his team met the leaders of The Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture to discuss the signing of a memorandum of cooperation and exchange views on the international development of Thai silk industry.
2.ISU Chairman Led a Delegation to Visit the Silk Industry in Two Central Asian Countries
From August 10 to 15, 2025, ISU Chairman Zhang Guoqiang and his delegation visited Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, exchanging views on the development of the sericulture and silk industries in Central Asia with relevant government departments, industry organizations, and enterprises in both countries. In Uzbekistan, the delegation visited the “Uzbekipaksanoat” Association, the Sericulture Research Institution and the "Uztextile Industry" Association, engaging in in-depth discussions with their respective leaders on silkworm variety breeding, the development of scientific research and innovation systems, technical exchange and cooperation, talent cultivation, and industrial cooperation. During the visits, ISU Secretariat invited the “Uzbekipaksanoat” Association and the Sericulture Research Institution to join ISU, which received the positive responses. In Tajikistan, the delegation visited the largest local silk company on its mulberry cultivation, silkworm breeding, silk reeling, weaving, printing and dyeing, finishing equipment. They also held in-depth discussions with the company's leaders on technical cooperation, equipment upgrades, and talent cultivation.
3.ISU Member Silk Association of India visited ISU and the Chinese Silk Industry
From May 25 to 26, 2025, a nine-member delegation from the Silk Association of India(SAI), member of ISU, visited ISU Secretariat and the Chinese silk industry. During the meeting, Chairman Zhang introduced the recent developments of ISU and shares the development history of Cathaya Group, ISU Chairman Unit, and its presence in the whole silk industry chain and the mulberry silk biotechnology industry. Vice President S.B. Dadin introduced the basic situation and key activities of SAI, and shared the Indian current situation of sericulture and the regional production distribution, import and export trade of silk products, as well as the development advantages, challenges and future vision of India's sericulture and silk industry. The two sides had in-depth discussions on topics such as the development trends of the sericulture in China and India, technological and equipment innovation, improvement of raw silk quality, and international cooperation. They agree to enhance exchanges and resource sharing to boost the global silk industry's competitiveness and influence. During the field study, ISU Secretariat accompanied the SAI delegation to visit the China National Silk Museum, Zhejiang Canyuan Home Textiles Co., Ltd., and the silk industrial chain of Cathaya Group, learning about China's silk history and culture, silk quilt production techniques, modern mulberry farming models and the advances in sericulture by-product utilization and silk end products, holding in-depth discussions with the partners on key areas including premium mulberry varieties and intelligent sericulture systems.
4.HTH Team Visited ISU and the Chinses Silk Industry
On October 24-25, 2025, Cédric LIO, Industrial Director and Hubert PRUNAYRE, Industrial Project Manager of HTH, visited ISU Secretariat and conducted an exposure visit into China's silk industry. During the meeting, Chairman Zhang Guoqiang extended a warm welcome to Cédric LIO and his delegation. He briefed them on the recent developments of ISU, shared an overview of Cathaya Group's progress, and exchanged views on key industry topics of mutual concern, such as the intelligent transformation and upgrading of the silk industry chain, the electronic testing and quality standards for high-quality raw silk. Accompanied by ISU Secretariat, the delegation visited the weaving, dyeing and printing bases of the Chairman's unit Cathaya Group, as well as the National Industrial Design Center and the silk end-product exhibition hall at the Group's headquarter. During these visits, they observed the production processes across the silk processing industry chain and gained an in-depth understanding of the latest achievements and applications in innovative technologies such as machine-washable silk, textured silk, and structured silk. Additionally, the delegation visited the new factory of Hangzhou Honghua Digital Technology Stock Co., Ltd.(Atexco), where they toured the digital printing equipment assembly workshop and observed demonstrations of precision positioning and double-sided digital printing equipment applications. They engaged in in-depth discussions on cutting-edge innovations including high-penetration digital printing equipment, digital micro-jet dyeing equipment, as well as high-penetration printing imitation dyeing technology, and salt-free, low-alkali, water-saving dyeing technologies.
5.ISU Secretariat was Invited to Attend 2025 “Silk in Lyon"
On November 20-21, 2025, invited by Xavier Lepingle, Vice Chairman of ISU, Vice President of UNITEX and CEO of HTH, Bian Xing'er, Deputy Secretary-General, and Pepper Liu, Secretary of ISU, attended the opening ceremony as entrusted by ISU Chairman. As the international VIPs, they were also invited to visit the silk exhibition, enjoyed the grand silk festival, engaged in deep communication with ISU members, silk enterprises, and industry organization representatives from France, Italy, Switzerland, Brazil, Greece and China, etc. sharing the development history and work efforts of ISU. They also solicited opinions from all parties involved about the plan for the 2026 ISU Chairman Meeting and gained enthusiastic feedback.
6.Interacted with ISU Members in other Countries
From February 27 to 28, 2025, Chairman Zhang and his delegation visited ISU members Jiangsu Fu'an Cocoon Silk Co., Ltd. and Xinyuan Cocoon and Silk Group Co., Ltd. They toured the Fu'an’s sericulture base, silk reeling workshop and cultural center, learning about the "Fu'an Model", which integrates a "company + sericulture cooperative + base + farmer households" framework and the "secondary profit distribution" mechanism, as well as the innovative technologies such as the "24-Day Rearing Method for Spring Silkworms". Chairman Zhang commended the company’s achievements in industrial upgrading and increasing farmers' incomes, and invited them to join ISU, receiving a positive response. At Xinyuan, they conducted on-site visits of the company’s large-scale silk reeling, automated weaving production lines, and intelligent, factory-based, economical feed-based silkworm rearing processes, gaining an understanding of their diversified product portfolios. Chairman Zhang expressed his hope to strengthen international exchanges through platform of ISU.
From April 15 to 18, 2025, ISU Secretariat followed a delegation on a study tour in Shandong, visiting ISU members such as Ju County Haitong cocoon silk Co., Ltd. and Zibo Daranfang Silk Group Co., Ltd., as well as related silk enterprises. They conducted on-site visits of Shandong's industrial development, including mulberry cultivation and silkworm breeding, silk reeling, weaving, scouring, wide-width printing and dyeing, finished product manufacturing, and Lu Brocade weaving techniques. Through discussions and field trips with relevant enterprises, ISU Secretariat deepened its interaction with member companies and accumulates experience for cross-regional cooperation in China's silk industry.
On August 25, 2025, the delegation of the “Uzbekipaksanoat” Association, the new member of ISU, payed a return visit to ISU Secretariat. On August 30, KHOLMURODOV Nozimjon Qosimovich, First Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and his delegation led another return visit, introducing the structural adjustments of the functional departments of the silk industry management in Uzbekistan, the latest policies and investment facilities of the Uzbek government to support the development of the sericulture and silk industry. The two sides further discussed in depth on the topics of international industrial cooperation such as expanding Uzbekistan's sericulture bases, silkworm breeding and weaving chain extension.
On August 26, 2025, the representatives of ISU Japanese member Chuwa Co., Ltd. and Dokoh Shoji Co., Ltd. visited ISU Secretariat and toured the National Industrial Design Center of Cathaya Group, ISU Chairman Unit. They gained in-depth insights into the latest developments in machine-washable silk, textured silk and structured silk. They also discussed the diverse forms of silk, adapting to the consumer preferences of millennials, and future collaborations in product development, supply chain collaboration, and international market development.
III. Establish Technical Groups to Conduct Specialized Research on the Silk Industry
In 2025, under the joint impetus of Chairman Zhang and Vice-Chairman Lepingle, the Technical Research Committee established three technical subgroups. Building on previous research and work, these subgroups conducted specialized research and international collaboration on key areas of concern to the international silk industry, including "Quality Standards and Testing Methods for High-Quality Raw Silk", "Silk Sustainability" and "Detecting Methods on the Raw Silk between Mulberry and Artificial Feed Cocoons". These subgroups aim to enhance technological innovation, transformation, and upgrading of the silk industry chain, and promote the green, healthy, sustainable, and high-quality development of the silk industry.
1.Technical Group 1: Quality Standards and Testing Methods for High-Quality Raw Silk
When this subgroup was firstly established, it had only 5 members from China, France, and Italy. With the progress of practical work and in-depth research, it has now brought together 14 members from 6 countries including China, France, Switzerland, Italy, Brazil, and Romania. This group covers major global enterprises engaged in the application of electronic testing equipment, testing institutions, and relevant technical research experts that ISU has access to, all of which are committed to the formulation of quality standards for high-quality raw silk and the unification of testing methods. Since the beginning of this year, ISU Secretariat and technical group members have conducted comparative blackboard and electronic testing experiments on multiple batches of high-quality raw silk and soaked silk samples, accumulating relevant data. They held the online and offline technical discussions with companies such as Uster (Switzerland), STS (Japan), Fadis (Italy), Suzhou Changfeng, Shanxi Changlin, Hikvision, Kangli and Anhui Fiber Inspection Institute(China), exploring technical approaches such as the development of electronic testing sensors, equipment and systems, the development of intelligent visual devices to replace human visual inspection. In January and September, ISU Secretariat convenes two online meetings with all members of the technical group to review existing electronic testing equipment and methods, and to summarize preliminary opinions and suggestions on high-quality raw silk quality testing and standards, and to discuss in depth technical difficulties. In November, the Secretariat held technical discussions with the quality control team of HTH, and also conducted seminars with heads of enterprises and institutions such as Italian Silk Office, INNOVHUB, twisting mills, and weaving factories. Together, they engaged in in-depth discussions on the current application of electronic testing in the European silk industry, the phased achievements, the challenges faced, and future work plans of the technical group, clarifying the direction for collaborative efforts moving forward. On December 24, the Secretariat organized the "Technical Exchange Meeting on High-Quality Raw Silk Quality Standards and Testing Methods" in Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, China. A total of 27 participants, including secretaries-general of silk industry associations, experts and scholars from universities and testing institutions, and representatives of high-quality raw silk production enterprises from Zhejiang, Sichuan, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Chongqing, Yunnan, and Anhui, China, took part in the exchange and discussions. During the meeting, the attendees visited Mianyang Tianhong Silk Co., Ltd.
2.Technical Group 2: Silk Sustainability
This subgroup, comprised of 9 representatives from 5 countries including China, Italy, France, Brazil, and India, focuses on life cycle assessment research on silk cocoon and silk products. This year, related research has resulted in the publication of 3 SCI paper(Top Journal), 1 U.S. patent and 1 Japanese patent. ISU Secretariat and technical group experts also establishes contact with the Ecoinvent database, hold multiple online meetings, sign a data supply agreement and establish a dedicated team to actively discuss data upload. They actively promote their research findings through the ISU platform, track the EU sustainability legislation through the "Make the Label Count" platform. They also learn that the French Ecobalyse database has been officially recognized by the EU, and the Secretariat will follow up this matter in the further. In October, on the members assembly, ISU officially released the new one of the technical report series Rules for Carbon Footprint of Mulberry Silk Products Part 2: Cocoons , continuing to guide the green and sustainable development of the international silk industry.
3.Technical Group 3: Detecting Methods on the Raw Silk between Mulberry and Artificial Feed Cocoons
This subgroup, comprised of institutions from China, Italy, France and Brazil now, primarily researches methods for differentiating raw silk from cocoons raised on artificial feed versus those raised on mulberry leaves. Since the beginning of this year, the technical group has been conducting market research, feasibility analysis, and experimental work. Through a series of seminars with universities such as Southwest University and Westlake University, the group has reached a consensus on research directions and technical approaches. The group aims to establish a standardized system for differentiating cocoons, silk from fresh cocoons and raw silk from reeling by exploring and analyzing the differences, as well as the underlying logic behind these differences. Meanwhile, the Secretariat also assisted member units in procuring raw materials for comparative testing, and relevant research has achieved phased results.
IV. Enhance International Influence and Build the Global Organization
1. Expanded the ISU's Membership and Optimized its Organizational Structure
In 2025, the secretariat further expanded its international reach by absorbing new members. A total of 13 companies and organizations from 8 countries, including China, Cuba, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Mexico, Uzbekistan and India joined ISU. This growth has brought ISU's membership to 146 members from 41 countries and regions. In addition, since ISU was officially recognized as a Type B – Universal Membership Organization by the UIA in 2024, relevant government departments of various countries have also increasingly paid attention to ISU, and exchanges have gradually deepened, which has further enhanced the ISU's international influence in major silk-producing and silk-consuming countries.
2.ISU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Black Sea, Caspian and Central Asian Silk Association
On August 20, 2025, ISU signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with the Black Sea, Caspian and Central Asian Silk Association(BACSA). With the common mission of developing the silk industry, both parties will engage in exchanges and cooperation in information, professional technology, industrial resources and talent development. The two sides will organize mutual visits and industry inspections among personnel in sericulture and silk-related fields, collaborate on sericulture and silk-related research projects, invite each other to participate in relevant public representative conferences, and jointly host international sericulture and silk seminars, special forums and training courses, based on mutual consensus, jointly contributing to the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of the international sericulture and silk industry. BACSA is a pivotal international organization linking the sericulture and silk industry belt in Central Asia, the Caucasus and parts of Europe, cooperation with the association will further enhance the global influence of ISU.
3.Improved the Establishment and Operation of the ISU's Committees
Industry Development Strategy Committee (IDSC) is a strategic,global, and professional decision-making consulting council established under ISU, to promote high-quality industrial development. To date, 9 members have been invited from China, France, Italy, India, Brazil. ISU Secretariat has coordinated and organized numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings to conduct in-depth discussions on the formulation of ISU's development plan, organizational structure adjustments and other decisions.
Technical Research Committee (TRC) is a research and consulting organization under ISU, to promote the professionalized and high-quality development of the sericulture and silk industry in such fields as the whole industrial chain, comprehensive utilization and green and sustainable development. To date, 17 members have been invited from China, France, Italy, Brazil, India. These committee members cover a wide range of research areas including mulberry cultivation and silkworm breeding, silk processing and R&D, large-scale silk textiles, non-textile applications of sericulture and silk, silk biotechnology, silk standards and sustainability, silk quality and testing, aiming to promote multi-dimensional innovation and development in the silk industry.
V. Strengthen Exchanges with the Textile Sector and Enhance the Service Effectiveness for the Industry and ISU Members
1. ISU Secretariat was invited to attend the "Make The Label Count" Member Video Conference Twice
ISU is the founding member of the "Making The Label Count"(MTLC) initiative launched by the International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO). In April and July 2025, the secretariat was invited to attend the member video conferences twice. During these meetings, MTLC periodically reviewed the latest legislative developments of the EU’s Green Claims Directive and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and the French Ecobalyse eco-label system, which was received official EU recognition this year, as well as the multi-level promotional campaigns across social, digital and media platforms conducted by MTLC. These efforts aim to make positive contributions to actively maintain the sustainable image of natural fibers and industry interests.
2.Facilitated the Collaborative Partnership between Chinese and Argentinian Universities in Sericulture and Silk Talent Development
ISU Secretariat, fully leveraging its role as a bridge, actively promote and coordinate efforts in the early stages to establish an important collaborative platform for sericulture and silk talent development between Chinese and Argentinian university members of ISU. In October, during the members assembly period, with the ISU Secretariat as the witness, ZSTU, ISU Vice-Chairman Unit, signed the memorandas of understanding and relevant talent exchange agreements in Argentina with National Technology University Buenos Aires Faculty , School of Agriculture of University of Buenos Aires, and Institute of Industrial Quality of National University of San Martín, which are all new ISU members. In the future, ISU Secretariat will actively promote relevant universities around the world to establish the cooperative talent cultivation system, so as to cultivate future successors for the international sericulture and silk industry.
3.Jointly Hosted 2025 “Belt and Road” International Silk Road Communication Scholars Forum
On December 13-14, 2025, the 2025 “Belt and Road” International Silk Road Communication Scholars Forum was successfully held at Renmin University of China, jointly organized by National Communication Strategy Research Center of Renmin University of China, Silk Magazine and ISU. Under the theme "Wisdom Weaves the Silk Road, Collaboration Creates the Future", the forum brought together over 70 renowned scholars, journal editors-in-chief, industry experts, and young researchers from fields such as communication studies, silk industry, design, arts, and technology. Transcending the boundaries of communication, publishing, and artistic disciplines, participants engaged in in-depth dialogues on new trends and practices in international silk road communication.
4.Established Connections with Major International Textile Organizations to Expand Exchanges and Interactions in the Textile Sector
Taking advantage of this members assembly in Brazil, the secretariat leveraged the strengths of our members to actively expand international resources in the silk and textile sectors, establishing bilateral dialogues with IWTO which is located in Belgium and International Alpaca Association (IAA), which is located in Peru, respectively. These dialogues allow for in-depth discussions on the development history and work of these international organizations in their respective sectors, expressing hope for cross-sector collaboration and win-win development.
5.Supported the ISU Members in Organizing Industry Activities and Business Cooperation
Supported Cathaya Group in visiting Laotian sericulture resources and expanding high-quality sericulture bases; supported China National Silk Museum in hosting the "Silk Road Week 2025"; supported University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and Zhejiang University in jointly applying for international collaborative research projects; assisted Indian member Ameen Silk in participating in the "Vasant Mela," an Indian-themed exhibition hosted by the Indian Embassy in Beijing; supported and assisted the member enterprises from various countries in connecting business and trade resources to promote business cooperation.
VI. Enhance the Construction and Operation of ISU's Official Information Platform
1. Operated ISU WeChat Account and Website
The "International Silk Union" WeChat account and website are the only information dissemination platforms of ISU. Since the redesign last year, the platforms have operated stably and achieved significant results in content promotion. The WeChat account has published 35 articles, covering the ISU news, important notices, papers and reports collected in ISU proceedings. The account have attracted more than 9,000 followers in total. The ISU official website has continuously updated the news, relevant industry data and quarterly publications, promptly optimized and refined ISU structure and other content, effectively enhancing the influence of the official platform.
2.ISU Proceedings SILK Published Research Reports and Industry Information
The SILK is a quarterly publication developed from the former ISU News, and obtained the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN 3005-2688) in 2023. Four issues have been published this year. All issues can be accessed via the “Proceedings of ISU” column on the ISU official website and the WeChat account, and also sent to all ISU members by email. Among them, the first quarterly issue focused on promoting the LCA report Life Cycle Assessment for Silk Products and the Technical Report Carbon Footprint Rules of Mulberry Silk Products — Part 1: Requirements and Specification for Quantification.
Welcome all members of each country to provide to ISU secretariat the regular basis with information on the silk and textile-related industries in your own countries, industrial data, member dynamics, cutting-edge technology, history and culture, fashion trends and so on, so as to enrich the source of the website and proceeding.