Schoeller launches idea to combat fake apparel
17/06/2009
Schoeller Technologies has launched a new product to help apparel brands and retailers keep fake clothing out of their stores and supply chains.
The new idea, called DNAtex, can add unique identification data to fibres, yarns or finished apparel, which, it says will show by means of an electronic scanner if an item is fake or genuine.
The damage resulting from counterfeit products worldwide is estimated at at least €200 billion a year. It is no longer just a question of copies of good designs. Fakes and copies of technical products call the safety of these products into question and, consequently, product liability claims are increasing. In the wake of industry concerns over this, Schoeller Technologies decided to launch DNAtex at the Techtextil exhibition in Frankfurt in mid-June.
Schoeller said at the launch that tests so far have shown that it is suitable for the entire spectrum of the textile production chain, including chemicals, fibres, textiles and finished products.
The company's chief operating officer, Hans U. Kohn, commented: "You scan the identified product and it looks for this unique ID and emits clear signals: 'real' or 'fake'. Counterfeits are detected immediately."
He explained that checks of this kind can be carried out at customs, for example, so that counterfeit goods cannot even get into circulation.
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