Applied DNA Science has entered into a supply agreement with ITW Pillar Technologies (‘Pillar’), a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), for its CertainT® tagging platform to combat the growing risk of counterfeit personal protective equipment (PPE) entering into the healthcare supply chain.
Under the agreement, DNA will supply SigNature molecular tags and SigNify in-field authentication devices to Pillar for use on materials that will be treated with the patented plasma deposition technology.
The products to be treated will include N95 masks, gowns and other protective equipment used by healthcare practitioners.
The textile treated with this technology features characteristics like wickability, breathability, ink and dye uptake, anti-microbial, hydrophobicity that are much eco-sustainable relative to other traditional wet processes.
The SigNature Tags will be integrated into the textiles including cotton, recycled polyester, nylon, wool and viscose that are used in PPE manufacturing, while Pillar personnel will be trained in the application of the unique molecular tags and in the use of field authentication system.
The CertainT’s cloud portal will be used to track all the tagged products.
“We are especially pleased to offer definitive proof of the authenticity of PPE materials to customers at a time when COVID-19-fuelled demand has led to an influx of substandard and falsified product in the healthcare supply chain,” said Rory Wolf, CEO of ITW Pillar Technologies.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
