Welspun the Mumbai-based terry towel producer has partnered forensic science company Oritain Global to develop a fiber-tracking technology. The technology enables Welspun to verify the origin of cotton at each stage of the manufacturing process to ensure an authentic final product. It was after a large customer terminated a contract with Welspun following mislabeling of provenance of fiber in certain consignments.
Called Wel-Trak, the solution uses RFID and customised software. It involved an investment of around Rs 38.5 crores and more than six months of rigorous efforts. It helps track the cotton to its source.
Apart from deploying this solution in several cotton growing areas across the globe, Welspun India is now looking at helping cotton farmers grow better quality cotton and also encourage them try organic cotton. Welspun is guiding and mentoring farmers on right practices, right seed and right pesticides. Cotton farmers are being mentored on the kind of crops to grow after cotton harvest so as to help them improve the overall soil nutrients like nitrogen. The company is looking to cover at least a fifth of farmers supplying cotton to it by 2021.
Welspun India has a set a target of doubling revenue by 2022.
