Business

Tracer Technologies Central To Textile Sustainability, New Guide Claims

Fashion for Good, an innovation platform centred on sustainable fashion, and Textile Exchange, an NGO creating positive climate action in textiles, have together released a guide detailing the application of physical tracer technologies into textile supply chains. ‘The Textile Tracer Assessment’, written for manufacturers and wider fashion ecosystem stakeholders, provides a detailed evaluation of tracer technologies and their suitable application to various materials and fibres. ‘Tracer technologies’, as defined in the report, are systems used to analyse the microparticle composition of fibres, materials, and finished products. When in operation, they can verify the origin of materials, create traceability, and flag problems in the supply chain. As the report outlines, tracer technologies come in two forms. Firstly, using isotope/elemental profiling tracers and DNA analysis tracers, ‘forensic tracers’ analyse the microparticle composition of fibres, materials, and finished products to determine their geographical origin. Secondly, ‘additive tracers’ use synthetic/artificial DNA tracers, ink/rare earth fluorescent tracers, and optical fingerprints to apply tracer substances to materials at a certain point in the supply chain to be detected later on. The applicability of these methods in different contexts is specified to enable the manufacturer to understand the relevance of each system to their own operation. For example, Forensic Tracers leave minimal burden on the supply chain, but are less useful when tracing synthetic fibres. Alternatively, additive tracers are more impactful on supply chain operation while offering better all-round effectiveness on fibres. As it recommends the use of physical tracer technologies in partnership with digital trailers, the guide further stresses the uses the technology has for site-level verification, and transactional-level verification providing robust traceability governance. Upon publishing the report, the bodies stress this is only its foundation, reflecting work they have already completed. They call on tracer technologies relevant to the textile industry to join The Textile Tracer Assessment, to make themselves known within the industry and showcase the benefits of their own systems. Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, said: “The Textile Tracer Assessment provides much needed analysis and guidance to the textile industry players seeking clarity and direction to better understand and implement physical tracing technologies in their supply chains. “This is only the beginning of this collaborative project, as more technologies mature and improved capabilities are added, it will provide the industry with an indispensable tool for traceability implementation.” Textile Exchange’s Data and Technology Director, Evonne Tan, added: “Tracer technologies play an important role in connecting the forensic verified physical material to existing digital chains of custody. “With the proliferation of innovations in this space, we are excited to provide the Textile Tracer Assessment as a starting guide to standards, suppliers and brands wanting to better understand this landscape. “We look forward to the continued alignment and collaboration with technologies to strengthen material provenance and traceability in certified supply chains.”