Unique DNA Markers
Haelixa is an innovative Swiss company specialising in advanced traceability solutions for several industries, including the textile industry. The company offers proprietary DNA-based markers to ensure transparency and authenticity in supply chains. Haelixa’s technology is renowned for its reliability and sustainability, significantly contributing to global supply chain integrity. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, CEO & Co-founder Gediminas Mikutis discusses how the company’s proprietary and highly reliable solutions to physically mark, trace, and authenticate products along the supply chain help industries around the globe.
What inspired you and Dr. Michela Puddu to start Haelixa, and how did your chemistry background influence its development?
The concept for Haelixa came out of conversations about the potential uses of DNA. One theme often arose: the desire to promote better consumer behaviours around materials and consumption. We considered how to use DNA to track materials in supply chains.
The background in chemistry was critical for the development of the Haelixa solution. The chemical engineering experience has given us a deep understanding of chemical processes, reactions, and material properties. Our expertise in materials was crucial in creating a DNA marker that can withstand harsh textile manufacturing conditions, while providing reliable information throughout the supply chain. Our experience also versed us in sustainable practices, contributing to developing a solution that aligns with environmental and ethical standards.
What initial challenges did you face while developing the DNA marker technology for product traceability?
When establishing the business, the main challenge was deciding which industries to focus on. DNA markers, the way we have engineered them, have unlimited potential. Textiles and precious minerals are two industries that have a high need for supply chain transparency.
Can you briefly explain how Haelixa’s DNA marker technology ensures product traceability?
Haelixa is revolutionising industries with its DNA marker physical traceability solution. Leveraging advanced technology, Haelixa ensures transparent and verifiable supply chains, promoting product authenticity and sustainability. The solution provides unparalleled trust and accountability in the journey from source to consumer. By championing transparency, Haelixa revolutionises industries and is pivotal in fostering accountability and environmental responsibility throughout the supply chain.
How does Haelixa’s solution contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the textile industry?
Depending on the goals of a business, our marking and testing provide data to support achieving many SDGs. Some examples include:
SDG 5, Gender Equality: By conducting tests on materials within a supply chain, we can meticulously trace the material's journey and pinpoint its exact facilities used. The transparency enhances visibility into facility conditions and ultimately allows brands to understand whether they support manufacturing sites where women and girls have equal rights and participation.
SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production: With physical traceability, Haelixa supports responsible production in the textile industry. It enables consumers and businesses to make informed choices about the products they buy based on the sustainability of their supply chain.
SDG 13, Climate Action: Haelixa’s technology helps monitor and reduce the environmental impact of textile production. By promoting transparency, it supports efforts to mitigate climate change in the industry.
SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals: Collaboration is essential to achieving sustainability goals. Our technology facilitates collaboration between different stakeholders in the textile industry, fostering partnerships for sustainable development. The reporting and transparency provide insight into the supply chain to authenticate each party’s involvement.
How does Haelixa enhance supply chain transparency, especially in complex industries like textiles?
We offer monitoring, supply chain mapping, and quality control as a physical traceability solution. With the data from testing for our DNA markers, we identify bottlenecks, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with regulations. It supports sustainable authentication practices, efficient recall processes, and consumer engagement. We help textile companies comply with regulations and meet ethical and sustainable consumer demand.
With the upcoming EU Supply Chain Due Diligence Regulations, how does Haelixa’s solution help companies comply with these standards?
Concerning Due Diligence, our solution helps companies verify the practices and standards of their suppliers. This is crucial for ensuring suppliers adhere to ethical and sustainable principles, as due diligence regulations require. We also create reports for documenting and recording relevant data throughout the supply chain. The reporting is used by suppliers, auditors, and other partners, creating a network that supports due diligence practices and ensures shared responsibility.
In light of the EU Anti-Greenwashing Regulations, how does Haelixa ensure that product claims are substantiated and not misleading?
Haelixa uses forensic testing (using qPCR) to prevent greenwashing. We offer evidence to authenticate sustainability claims by testing the origin, material marking, facilities used, and quality. The DNA marking solution provides reliable data about the product’s journey from raw materials to the final product, and reporting authenticates the supply chain stages and ingredient labels.
How does Haelixa assist companies in complying with the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act (UFLPA), particularly regarding the traceability of cotton origins?
Haelixa assists companies in complying with regulations like the UFLPA by offering complete transparency of cotton throughout the supply chain. Forensic testing ensures that companies have verifiable information about the origin of their cotton, helping them avoid associations with regions or suppliers linked to forced labour practices. The solution generates comprehensive documentation for audits, integrates seamlessly into due diligence processes, and allows for real-time monitoring to address any ethical deviations swiftly. Collaboration with industry stakeholders and communication of traceability information to consumers further enhances credibility and demonstrates a commitment to transparency and ethical sourcing.
Can you elaborate on the role of forensic testing in establishing the credibility of supply chains?
To test for the authenticity of a material, qPCR is used to detect unique DNA markers that are added to the material at the beginning of the supply chain.
If the markers are present, it confirms that the original product is still present at each stage of the supply chain. However, samples of the material must be sent to the laboratory for testing to provide documentation for the value chain processing the material.
How does Haelixa help brands differentiate in a competitive market through enhanced product distinction?
Haelixa offers a distinct and authentic way for brands to stand out in a competitive market by using unique DNA markers for their products. The technology makes it easier for consumers to trace the product from its origin, confirm its authenticity, and prevent counterfeiting. Brands leverage the DNA markers to create compelling stories that emphasise innovation and technological leadership, ultimately positioning them as premium, environmentally conscious, and forward-thinking. By integrating DNA markers, brands differentiate themselves through authenticity, innovation, and a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, ultimately providing them a competitive edge in the market.
What has been the response from well-known brands and retailers towards implementing Haelixa’s solutions?
The response from brands and retailers is positive. The package includes end-to-end service, covering all key aspects of traceability. Our team collaborates with brands to enhance communication with stakeholders and ensure attention to detail. Such an inclusive package helps brands implement the solution into their existing processes. The detail of the reporting supports their need to authenticate their claims. In particular, brands commonly recognise the need to better understand opportunities in their supply chain. This level of transparency is only available with Haelixa.
How does Haelixa align with global standards like the Global Organic Textile Standard and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX?
Collaboration is a key to our business. Working with standards like the Global Organic Textile Standard and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX, we are a tool for supporting their work to ensure material claims are valid.
What future innovations or improvements will you integrate into Haelixa’s solutions?
Our in-house Research and Development allows us to tailor our product to customer needs and market trends. We are improving marker stability to mark rPET in all possible conditions. The goal is to promote circularity and physically mark PET waste to validate recycling claims. Textile-to-textile recycling is growing, and the need to authenticate the waste is also increasing. The more durable our markers become, the better we can accommodate any needs or requests by brands.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to innovate in sustainable technology?
Innovating in the field of technology can be challenging yet highly rewarding. Key learnings include understanding the landscape, collaborating with stakeholders, focusing on impact, and building a diverse team. Three pieces of advice include:
- Understand the sustainability landscape by staying informed about current challenges, trends, and best practices.
- Identify gaps and opportunities for environmental and social issues.
- Build partnerships with like-minded individuals, organisations, & research institutions for more comprehensive and impactful solutions.
Finally, what is your long-term vision for Haelixa regarding global impact and industry transformation?
Our goal is for Haelixa to become the global standard for traceability. We aim to create a reliable and consistent business that positively influences society and the environment. We measure our impact on the world by the amount of materials we have marked and traced.
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