ICA Bremen, founded in 2011, is an international centre of excellence for cotton testing, research and quality training. It’s at work on an inexpensive, full traceability system which will prove the authenticity of organic and other niche cottons.

More and more consumers want to be sure that the cotton product they have bought complies with their environmental and social expectations. Several cotton identity program, such as organic and niche cottons, try to assure the public of this via labeling, but the textile value added chain is very complex so this previously could not be accurately done.

ICA Bremen has conducted laboratory tests to demonstrate that garments can immediately be verified and quantified to confirm their authenticity at the click of a button, using a simple scanner from a hand held reader or via a scan on the production line.

And because there is no laboratory testing required, the associated time and cost of this is avoided - making this an inexpensive solution for the market.

The company has successfully proved the concept in laboratory trials and is now proceeding to full field trials. If successful, and dependent on funding and partners, the product could be available later this year.

www.ica-bremen.org/