Lenzing has introduced a new blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability platform powered by TextileGenesis. The platform went live on November 5, 2020 and is accessible by all brands using TENCEL and LENZING ECOVERO branded fibers, as well as supply chain partners globally across Asia, Europe and the Americas.
After a 12-month pilot program 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 program in Q1 2021. It is estimated that by Q2 2021, most eligible Lenzing supply chain partners will be onboarded into the platform, ensuring full supply chain traceability.
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 TENCELT and LENZING ECOVERO branded fibers but also to view the results of forensic (physical) verification of fabric samples via the digitally signed Lenzing E-Branding fabric certificates.
“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 fibers,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, chief commercial officer and member of the board at Lenzing.
According to Amit Gautam, chief executive officer and founder of TextileGenesis, top fashion brands have committed to using 100% sustainable and traceable fibers during the next five years, and transparency is a core part of their 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,” said Gautam. “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,”
Through the Fibercoin technology of the TextileGenesis platform, Lenzing and other brand partners are able to issue digital tokens (blockchain assets) in direct proportion to the physical shipments of TENCEL and LENZING ECOVERO branded fibers. These digital tokens provide a “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, said the companies.
https://textilegenesis.com; https://brandingservice.lenzing.com
