Circular Systems to apply FibreTrace to all products
US-based textile technologies company Circular Systems has joined hands with FibreTrace, a Singaporean traceability specialist firm which works to provide end-to-end visibility and verification through application of a GOTS-approved, scannable luminescent pigment solution to fibres including cotton, viscose, polyester and their recycled versions.
Initially developed by the Australian cotton-growing family behind Good Earth Cotton, the Stathams, FibreTrace’s physical traceability marker has similar properties to that which is used to secure currency and passports. The blockchain-secured tracking data it generates connects with artificial intelligence to deliver supply chain insights “from farm to shelf”. Circular Systems, meanwhile, manufactures a mechanically processed pre-consumer recycled cotton, Rcot, via its own Texloop technology platform. It also makes textile-grade fibres it calls Agraloop BioFibre from agricultural waste such as leftover banana, pineapple and hemp crops.
Together, the partners expect to roll out application of FibreTrace’s pigment solution across all Texloop and Agraloop fibre products by 2024, according to Circular Systems chief executive, Isaac Nichelson, who underscored the need “to improve the authenticity and quality of the global recycled cotton sector”.
Pre-consumer cotton fibres are mechanically shredded during the Texloop process. Credit: Circular Systems.
