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Fiber company Lenzing is reaching new heights with its blockchain-enabled traceability platform, and its technology, powered by TextileGenesis, has helped to illuminate the path.
Lenzing partnered with the Hong Kong-based company in 2019 and started using its blockchain technology that ensures traceability of fabrics from fiber to manufacturing and distribution, Lenzing said. And now, after successful pilot projects, Lenzing’s digital platform was launched on November 5th for its wood-based fibers Tencel and Lenzing EcoVero.
Its platform provides customers and partners, as well as consumers, with an overview of the entire textile supply chain, the company explained. “With the COVID-19 pandemic, further changes have been made to the already transforming textile and fashion industries. To date, supply chain traceability has become a top priority for apparel and home improvement brands. With the blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability platform based on TextileGenesis, Lenzing supports the entire supply chain in meeting the growing demand for transparency and sustainability. “
To test the platform, Lenzing conducted a 12-month pilot program and field trials with four sustainable brands – H&M, ArmedAngels, Mara Hoffman and Chicks – along with supply chain operators from 10 countries and three regions; and his program produced “very positive feedback” from participants.
Robert van de Kerkhof, Lenzing’s commercial director and board member, said last year that “during the pilot program and field trials we received very positive feedback from brands and supply chain partners. Our brand partners they also encouraged us to accelerate the global roll-out of Lenzing’s fiber traceability. “
It’s a good day for Lenzing. In the wake of its launch, the company also announced its recent ranking of the Canadian environmental organization, Canopy, in which the Lenzing Group scored a total of 30.5 points (four points higher than last year), and received its first “dark green leader jersey,” The highest ranking category “Hot Button”. Canopy ranks the world’s 31 largest wood-based fiber producers with respect to their sustainable sourcing of wood and pulp, explained Lenzing, and considers efforts with the use of alternative non-wood raw materials, as well as the results for long-term storage in critical forests located around the world.
Stefan Doboczky, managing director of Lenzing, said: “We are very proud to be the industry leader when it comes to responsible sourcing of wood and pulp. Innovation, transparency and the sustainable procurement of raw materials are an integral part of our sustainability strategy, which covers the entire value chain, from raw material to final product “.
Image courtesy of Lenzing.
Its traceability platform takes the necessary transition to transparency to the next level, and Lenzing said it will take a phased approach to onboarding for its global launch. “During the first phase, Lenzing’s supply chain partners based in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) will complete the onboarding process by the fourth quarter of 2020. More than 300 chain partners are estimated suppliers in China and Turkey will join the program in the first quarter of 2021. It is estimated that by the second quarter of 2021 the majority of Lenzing’s eligible supply chain partners will be integrated into the platform, ensuring full supply chain traceability “, affirmed the brand.
And Lenzing explained that a key component of the platform is the integration with its Lenzing E-Branding fabric certification system, which allows brands and retailers to access full supply chain traceability for Tencel and Lenzing branded fibers. EcoVero and visualize the results of forensic (physical) verification of fabric samples through its digitally signed E-Branding Lenzing fabric certificates, the company said.
“With this new system and integration with E-Branding Lenzing 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 textiles made with Tencel or Lenzing EcoVero brand fibers, ”added Kerkhof.
Amit Gautam, chief executive officer and founder of TextileGenesis, said that with “increasing compliance and reputational risks, the CEOs and boards of directors of the top 100 fashion brands are committed to using 100% traceable and sustainable fibers. over the next five years, with transparency as a key corporate priority. “
The traceability of the platform is supported by the Fibercoin technology powered by the TextileGenesis platform. Lenzing and other brand partners can now issue digital tokens (blockchain assets) in direct proportion to physical shipments of Tencel and Lenzing EcoVero-branded fibers, the company said. “These digital tokens provide a unique fingerprint and authentication mechanism, preventing adulteration, providing a more secure, reliable and digital chain of custody along the entire textile supply chain, and most importantly, ensuring that the materials are produced. in a sustainable way, “Lenzing explained.
Gautam added: “Sustainability and traceability are two sides of the same coin, and it’s great to see Lenzing lead the way for the whole fashion industry. Our supply chain traceability platform will create digital accounting for Lenzing’s innovative and sustainable fibers along the entire supply chain using Fibercoins’ traceability technology. “
For more commercial news from WWD, see:
Outdoor brands speak Impacts of the coronavirus
Brick-and-Mortar, digital retailers adapt strategies in Wake of Coronavirus
Field Notes: How the fabric is helping save the planet
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