Oerlikon and Haelixa’s partnership aims to achieve transparency and sustainability across the entire textile value chain.
At the core of this solution is Haelixa's DNA marker technology, which ensures complete traceability of materials throughout the production process. The DNA marker is incorporated into the yarn-spinning process, ensuring its survival through all production steps.
The partnership further leverages Oerlikon's atmos.io digital platform, enhancing the concept of a smart factory and providing total transparency during yarn manufacturing.
This integration enables clear traceability of the yarn's components, qualities, manufacturing conditions, and origin in the finished garment.
Atmos.io records and evaluates extensive production and process data, assigning a digital identity to the yarn from the melt to the finished package.
Manufacturers opting for the atmos.io platform can adapt production systems to incorporate DNA markers, to streamline the integration process.
The resulting textile end products comply with the EU's digital product passport requirements, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of its life cycle and circularity.
Holly Berger, marketing director at Haelixa said: "This innovative technology utilises distinct DNA tailored for each project, creating a unique identity for the material. Once integrated, the DNA becomes irremovable, safeguarding against falsification or alteration."
This technology claims to have been successful in monitoring and rectifying deviations in process parameters, maintaining yarn quality and minimising waste.
Jochen Adler, CTO at Oerlikon Manmade Fibers, emphasised the significance of combining both technologies, stating: "The unique DNA carries the 'roots' of the yarn digitally recorded in atmos.io into the everyday life of the end consumer."
According to both companies, Initial long-term tests have demonstrated 100% traceability of yarns in the Partially Oriented Yarn (POY) and Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY) spinning process.
