{"id":40429,"date":"2023-10-13T16:57:54","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T14:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/?post_type=project&p=40429"},"modified":"2025-12-12T11:30:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T10:30:01","slug":"the-fiber-traceability-initiative-en","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.axfoundation.se\/en\/projects\/the-fiber-traceability-initiative-en","title":{"rendered":"The Fiber Traceability Initiative \u2013 Towards Full Traceability in Fashion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Initiative has developed a proof of concept for a digitally traceable merino wool value chain. Photo: Martin Schmidli, Unsplash.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Issue<\/h2>\n
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The fashion industry produces 100 billion new garments every year, half of which are discarded within 12 months. Despite the potential of biobased materials, most clothing today consists of virgin, fossil-based synthetic fibers, which pose significant environmental challenges. The fashion and textile industry also struggles to establish basic levels of traceability throughout its value chain. In the wool industry of today, for example, traceability is limited to the country of origin and there is no guarantee or certification to ensure that the wool has been produced sustainably and according to high animal welfare standards.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Several new EU regulations have been put in place to safeguard the environment and consumers, opening a path towards responsible production and consumption in the fashion and textile industry. However, companies struggle to find practical ways to implement them.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Our Solution <\/h2>\n
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The Fiber Traceability Initiative has developed a beta version of a digitally traceable wool value chain. The project has implemented digital data collection and sharing throughout the entire production chain \u2013 from sheep farms in South Africa to scouring plants, spinning mills, dyeing units, and knitting factories in Europe. The next generation of QR codes are sewn into the garment, which can be scanned by buyers or customers in the store, providing a comprehensive view of the product\u2019s journey, including verified Responsible Wool Standard certification, which validates farms based on animal welfare, environmental, and social aspects. The brand’s landing page also includes recommendations for care, repair, and resale.<\/p>\n

The Initiative\u2019s partner VirtualRouteZ compiles all the data on its digital platform. The technical solution uses GS1 standards to create a unified, neutral, and global framework for product identification and labeling, ensuring system interoperability.<\/p>\n

The solution is a beta version of a digital product passport, preparing all actors for upcoming EU legislation regarding digital product passports. The project also explores how increased transparency enables new business models that promote sustainability. Furthermore, it assists companies in complying with the EU\u2019s textile strategy and the Ecodesign Directive, including the implementation of digital product passports, a forthcoming EU requirement that will affect nearly all products on the European market.<\/p>\n

The Fiber Traceability Initiative is designed to allow for scalability, with the hope of inspiring greater transparency in the fashion industry globally and opening up opportunities for more interested fashion brands and their value chains, in both knitted and woven sectors.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A QR code powered by GS1 is sewn into the garment. This code reveals the product's journey, including its RWS certification, which ensures animal welfare, as well as environmental and social standards at the sheep farm. Photo: Johan B\u00e4vman<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Results<\/h2>\n
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  • Achieving full traceability and transparency throughout the wool value chain.
    \n<\/strong>Through this solution, wool garments in Filippa K\u2019s 2024 autumn and winter collection for 2024 have full traceability.<\/li>\n
  • Implement a standardized, digital business language and interoperability throughout the entire value chain.
    \n<\/strong>GS1 standards are implemented in scouring facilities, spinning mills, and manufacturing suppliers.<\/li>\n
  • Make production and sustainability data accessible to all stakeholders, from sheep owners to consumers.
    \n<\/strong>All data is embedded in a QR code powered by GS1 within the garments.<\/li>\n
  • Paving the way for companies to implement Digital Product Passports.
    \n<\/strong>The solution prepares everyone in the value chain to align with upcoming EU legislation on Digital Product Passports.<\/li>\n
  • Product-based information on care, repair, and resale within the garments to strengthen customer relationships and increase the longevity of the garments.
    \n<\/strong>Filippa K enhances customer information through the landing page.<\/li>\n
  • Driving the transition towards a circular economy and inspiring transparency in fashion.
    \n<\/strong>The solution enables new business models with more efficient use of wool and longer garment lifespans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n <\/div>\n
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    Our Work<\/h2>\n
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    The venture is a collaboration between actors from the entire value chain. The Initiative is lead by Axfoundation, in collaboration with the global non-profit standard organization GS1 Sweden, Swedish fashion house Filippa K, and technical partner VirtualRouteZ. Enabling label supplier is Trimco. The project is also supported by Textile Exchange and has been accepted into the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Nordic Circular Accelerator, which helps Nordic companies share data and collaborate to maximize business value in a circular economy.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    \n \"\u200bThe\n

    \u200bThe envisioned full circular process from farm to store and beyond the shelf. The inner green arrows illustrate processes of reuse and repair, remake and recycle. In the future, these steps will also be digitally traceable. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    This project serves as a springboard for brands that are preparing for the upcoming legislation. Traceability and transparency also provide business advantages and contribute to sustainable market structures.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2013 Stina Behrens, Project Manager Future Materials, Axfoundation<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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