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The YarnProof initiative, officially launched on October 13, 2026, led by Unifi and supported by FibreTrace technology, with the participation of polyester yarn producers from North and Central America, has as its main objective to support compliance with the “yarn-forward” origin requirements set out in the CAFTA-DR (the free trade agreement between the Dominican Republic, Central America and the United States) and USMCA (the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement) trade agreements, strengthening compliance and transparency across the regional supply chain.
Participants: eleven producers, including Unifi Manufacturing, Aquafil O’Mara, CS America, Nan Ya Plastics America, Premiere Fibers, Skytex México, Tecnología Textil Avanzada, Textufil and United Textiles of America.
Sources:
Additive tracers (added to the fiber or yarn)
Synthetic DNA: Haelixa (Switzerland)
Uses a DNA marker physically applied to the material, identifying a brand, supplier, production lot, or producer. It is Oeko-Tex 100 compliant and GOTS certified, yet strong enough to withstand industrial processing.
Application: the DNA is dissolved in a liquid and sprayed onto the fibers. Verification is done with PCR-based tests. For wool, a qPCR test and a “key-lock” system were used to make the marker tamper-proof.
FibreTrace
Its uniqueness lies in combining a patented physical solution with a secure digital ecosystem to ensure that the authenticity of a yarn is verifiable at any point in the supply chain.
FibreTrace VERIFIED (Physical Traceability with Pigments) Luminescent Pigments: These are inserted in liquid form directly into raw fibers (e.g., cotton during ginning) or during spinning. These are inert, safe, REACH-certified and biodegradable pigments that do not alter in any way the quality, dyeing or performance of the yarn. Active Verification: These pigments emit a unique optical signal that works like a molecular barcode or an indestructible passport. Using special Bluetooth portable scanners provided by FibreTrace, manufacturers and brands can physically scan the fabric at any production stage to instantly confirm its real origin.
FibreTrace MAPPED (Digital Traceability) Launched as an open platform, FibreTrace MAPPED is an advanced software based on blockchain technology: It allows brands, suppliers and retailers to digitally map the entire supply chain (from field to store). It centralizes purchase and shipping documents and existing socio-environmental certifications, creating an immutable digital record. It is a globally accessible solution designed to break down cost barriers in complying with new sustainability regulations (such as the European Union’s Digital Product Passport).
Molecular DNA: Applied DNA Sciences, CertainT platform (USA)
Tagging covers cotton, man-made cellulosic fibers, recycled polyester, leather, down, and specialty coatings. It was chosen by American & Efird for a new recycled sewing thread.
Fluorescent tracer fibers: Tailorlux IntegriTEX® (Germany)
The system is patented and precisely dispenses tracer fibers into the cotton process during ginning, yarn spinning, or shredding. The fibers are made of PP, PA6, or viscose enriched with a tracer pigment. It provides an invisible, machine-readable fingerprint. The tracer fibers can be hidden in sewing thread or included among the fibers of the yarn.
Tracer concentrates for synthetic fibers: Avient Cesa™ (USA)
These are concentrates with a customized taggant incorporated into the fibers during spin-dyeing. They are available for polyester and polyamide, including recycled grades. The advantage is low cost: they provide medium-level traceability with low investment, since no additional equipment is required. For recycled yarns, they can be added to the shredded PET/PA material before extrusion.
Molecular markers: SMX (Security Matters)
Claims to mark almost any fiber: cotton, polyester, wool, nylon, and nonwovens. With Indorama Ventures, it demonstrated markers embedded into rPET granules before production. In recycled cotton, the markers are applied by spraying during shredding and remain detectable after blending in different ratios. These are company press releases and pilot tests, not independent verification.
Forensic tracers (no additives)
Oritain (New Zealand)
Authenticates the origin of raw materials through isotopes and trace elements, comparing them with the typical profile of a specific place of origin. The method can produce false positives and false negatives, and the error rate is disclosed to the client.