Summary

FibreTrace is a textile traceability technology company that embeds a patented luminescent ceramic pigment directly into raw fibres — cotton, wool, recycled polyester, and more — at the very start of the supply chain. The pigment, finer than a speck of dust and comparable in principle to the security markers used in banknotes and passports, is unique to each batch and remains permanently bonded to the fibre through every stage of processing: spinning, dyeing, weaving, manufacturing, washing, and even recycling or incineration. At each step in the chain, FibreTrace scanners read the pigment and log verified data to a cloud platform, giving brands, suppliers, certifiers, and consumers a real-time, irrefutable record of where a material came from, who handled it, and what it contains. Crucially, the pigment survives the recycling process — allowing the system to quantify the precise ratio of recycled to virgin fibre in new products, a capability that is essential for genuine circularity. FibreTrace works across natural, man-made, and synthetic fibres and integrates with existing ESG, certification, and digital product passport platforms. Partners include Target Corp., Cargill, Reformation, Napapijri, Rodd & Gunn, and Everlane. (Source)

Story

FibreTrace was founded in 2018 by Danielle Statham, driven by a recognition that even the most sustainability-conscious fashion brands could not genuinely verify the provenance of their raw materials. (Source) Working alongside Paul Stenning, the inventor behind the core pigment technology, Statham saw an opportunity to bring physical, science-backed proof to a supply chain that had long relied on paperwork and self-declaration. The original focus was cotton — the most widely traded natural fibre in the world and one of the most opaque in terms of origin and environmental impact. (Source) The founding insight was simple but radical: rather than tracking fibres through documents that can be falsified, embed the proof in the fibre itself. Since then FibreTrace has expanded to cover a wide range of natural, man-made, and synthetic fibres and built a global network of fibre producers, spinners, mills, and brands. The company is headquartered in Singapore, with its UK entity, FibreTrace Technologies Limited, incorporated in London in 2023. (Source)

Pic credit: Inside Denim (right) and Sourcing Journal (top)