The collaboration is part of C&A's broader strategy to engage with apparel industry peers in testing and expanding innovative solutions.
The retailer's objectives are centred around promoting organic cotton cultivation that does not rely on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers and will contribute to purer water bodies, healthier ecosystems, and reduced expenses for farmers.
Started as a pilot in 2022, the collaboration between Haelixa and C&A has evolved into an ongoing partnership focused on tracing the origins of raw materials. This cooperative effort has culminated in a three-year agreement with Haelixa to label its organic cotton using the traceability solution.
Leveraging Haelixa's DNA marker technology, C&A can monitor its organic cotton from the initial farming stages through to the production of finished clothing items.
C&A's Sustainability Report highlights its collaborative efforts with various entities to promote organic cotton cultivation.
In 2023, the retailer sourced 80% of its core materials through more sustainable practices. The company has also reduced single-use plastic by 36% compared to its baseline, while increasing the share of approved safe chemicals by 7% compared to 2022.
C&A sourcing head Alexandre Saus-Salas said: “Transparency and ethical sourcing are crucial in our supply chain. As part of our commitment to traceability, we have started implementing Haelixa DNA within our organic supply chain. This gradual rollout will continue over multiple seasons in 2025 with an impact foreseen over the next three years.”
Haelixa's methodology employs DNA markers that offer a secure and verifiable means of tracking organic cotton throughout its journey in the supply chain. The cotton, procured via CottonConnect, is tagged with distinctive DNA sequence that serves as an identifier.
Subsequent testing of the cotton at various stages in the supply chain confirms the material's authenticity through forensic PCR tests. This fibre-forward approach to traceability guarantees that the final product is genuine.
The application of these markers authenticates the organic nature of the cotton and reduces the risk of sourcing from regions known for forced labour practices. The use of Haelixa markers allows C&A to confidently assert that its products contain genuinely organic cotton traced back to its origin during the ginning process.
Haelixa CEO Patrick Strumpf said: “Trust is the foundation of transparent storytelling. By tracing organic cotton from farm to finished garment, we empower brands like C&A to tell an authentic story, fostering greater consumer confidence in their sustainability efforts.”
With approximately 1,300 outlets across 17 European nations and roughly 25,000 staff members, C&A's brand attracts millions of visitors daily both in-store across Europe and through its online platform.
In September, Haelixa expanded its reach by partnering with OVS, an Italian fashion label. This integration involved incorporating Haelixa's DNA markers into OVS’s operations for domestically produced cotton in Italy.
In August this year, Haelixa leveraged DNA marking and testing technology to transform the traceability and verification of regenerative agriculture framework regenagri.
Recently, OEKO-TEX awarded Haelixa the Eco Passport certification. This confirms that chemicals, dyes, and auxiliary substances used in textile and leather manufacturing comply with strict environmental and health protocols.
