With Covid-19, more changes have been brought to the already transforming fashion and textile industries. To date, supply chain traceability has become a top priority for apparel and home brands. To address both consumer demand and compliance risks, Lenzing is introducing a new blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability platform powered by TextileGenesis.
The platform will go live from November 5, 2020 onwards, accessible by all brands using Tencel and Lenzing Ecovero branded fibres, and supply chain partners globally across Asia, Europe and the Americas.
A follow-up of a 12-month pilot programme and field trials with four leading sustainable brands (H&M, ArmedAngels, Mara Hoffman and Chicks) and supply chain players from 10 countries in three regions, the global roll-out of Lenzing’s blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability platform will be conducted in phases. During the first phase, Lenzing’s supply chain partners based in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) will complete the onboarding process within Q4 2020. An estimated 300+ supply chain partners in China and Turkey will also join the programme in Q1 2021.
One of the core components of the platform powered by TextileGenesis is integration with the Lenzing E-Branding fabric certification system, which allows brands and retailers not only to access the full supply chain traceability for Tencel and Lenzing Ecovero branded fibres but also to view the results of forensic (physical) verification of fabric samples via the digitally signed Lenzing e-branding fabric certificates.
“Over the past year, during the pilot programme and field trials we have been receiving very positive feedback from brands and supply chain partners. Our brand partners have also been encouraging us to accelerate the global roll-out for traceability of Lenzing fibres. With this new system and the integration with Lenzing E-Branding fabric certificates, the entire Lenzing ecosystem will create an unprecedented level of transparency. This will provide consumers with the most sustainable and climate-friendly clothing and home textile products that are made of Tencel or Lenzing Ecovero branded fibres,” Robert van de Kerkhof, chief commercial officer and member of the board at Lenzing, said in a press release.
“With increasing compliance and reputational risks, CEOs and boards of top 100 fashion brands have committed to using 100 per cent sustainable and traceable fibres over the next 5 years, with transparency being a core part of business priorities. Sustainability and traceability are two sides of the same coin, and it’s great to see Lenzing paving the way for the entire fashion industry to follow. Our supply chain traceability platform will create digital accounting for Lenzing’s innovative and sustainable fibers across the entire supply chain using Fibercoins traceability technology,” Amit Gautam, chief executive officer and founder of TextileGenesis, said.
Through using the innovative Fibercoin technology of the TextileGenesis platform, Lenzing and other brand partners are now able to issue digital tokens (blockchain assets) in direct proportion to the physical shipments of Tencel and Lenzing Ecovero branded fibres. These digital tokens provide a unique fingerprint and authentication mechanism, preventing adulteration, providing a more secure, trustworthy, digital chain-of-custody across the entire textile supply chain, and most importantly, ensuring the materials are sustainably produced.
