The strategic partnership between FibreTrace and SGS to introduce a fibre integrity protocol aims to bolster confidence in product claims for various materials, benefiting brands worldwide.

Driven by increasing consumer demand and market pressure for transparency and accountability in global supply chains, the fibre integrity protocol will integrate crucial components such as testing, verification, chain of custody checks, and product markers. SGS will work alongside textile and footwear supply chain operators to ensure the accuracy and veracity of traceability claims for materials.

Shannon Mercer the CEO of FibreTrace said: “The partnership with SGS allows the accelerated and robust implementation of FibreTrace across vast supply chains, with multi-fibre applications, multiple languages and multiple countries of origin and production.”

The collaboration will focus on the robust implementation of verification and compliance across the entire value chain.

Key services provided through this partnership include:

1. Assisting suppliers in demonstrating compliance and accurate reporting within the FibreTrace digital platform.
2. Reviewing the compliance and traceability of fibres and materials before the application of FibreTrace physical technology, particularly at recycled polyester collection points.
3. Supporting brands and retailers with on-site scanning to verify fibres using FibreTrace physical and digital technology.

The protocol will go out to major manufacturing regions globally, including India, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

Yvonne Tse, vice president of global soft lines at SGS, said: “This welcome collaboration with FibreTrace marks another step forward to support the global textile industry towards full supply chain traceability. By embracing new technologies, we are better placed to ease the pathway towards traceability for producers, manufacturers, brands and retailers worldwide.”

Vietnam-based manufacturers, Fashion Enterprise, and R&T Industry have successfully implemented FibreTrace technology on Australian Merino wool and plan to launch the solution in the fashion market early next year.

FibreTrace and Circular Systems have partnered to tackle traceability in cotton.