Haelixa, a Zürich-based company, has been collaborating with C&A for three years to enhance the traceability of its organic cotton. Through Haelixa’s DNA markers, C&A can track the journey of its organic cotton from the field all the way to the final garment.
Haelixa’s system uses DNA markers to ensure tamper-proof and verifiable traceability throughout the supply chain. Each batch of cotton is assigned a unique DNA marker, creating an identifiable link to its origin, with sourcing handled by CottonConnect.
After the markers are applied, forensic PCR tests are conducted at various stages of the supply chain to verify the cotton’s content. This fibre-forward traceability approach guarantees the authenticity of the materials used in the final products.
The system also helps reduce the risk of sourcing cotton from regions associated with forced labor and ensures the integrity of organic cotton claims. By applying Haelixa’s DNA markers at the field level during the ginning process, C&A can make accurate and verifiable claims about the presence of organic cotton in its products.
Patrick Strumpf, CEO of Haelixa, stated that trust is a key element of transparent storytelling. He highlighted that by tracking the cotton from farm to finished product, Haelixa enables brands like C&A to share an authentic narrative, which ultimately boosts consumer confidence in their sustainability efforts.
