There are infinite DNA markers that could be produced and used to indicate a specific origin, supply chain, material, or particular collection. With increasing cost pressure and competition in the wool fabric market, traceability is becoming a prerequisite to proving authenticity and origin. Funded by Australian woolgrowers, The Woolmark Company, Sydney/Australia, is an enterprise that focuses on investments that enhance the profitability, international competitiveness, and sustainability of Australian wool. Woolmark, the wool fabric mill VBC, and Haelixa a traceability company, took part in a trial to trace Australian wool fibers up to the final fabric.
In December 2021, Haelixa marked wool fibers with their DNA tracing solution. In this case, a single DNA marker was applied to greasy wool and a second DNA marker to scoured wool. The first DNA identifies the origin of the Australian wool, while the second determines the manufacturer where the wool has been further processed; at Vitale Barberis Canonico (VBC), Biella/Italy.
»This collaboration is an example of efforts to bring sustainable solutions to global supply chains. «
Gediminas Mikutis, CTO and Co-founder, Haelixa
Samples were collected from various production stages, where a qPCR test was used to detect each specific DNA marker. Haelixa Ltd., Kemptthal/Switzerland, uses a “Key-Lock” system to detect a marker; the particular DNA needs to be known to screen for it, ensuring that the system is tamper-proof. The DNA markers stay safely embedded in the product, enabling traceability of greasy and scoured wool up to greige fabric and finished fabric, respectively.