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With the free digital tool FibreTrace, consumers at clothing stores like Reformation can scan a QR code to verify their textile products were ethically made. Taking inspiration from banknotes, FibreTrace uses a luminescent pigment to embed a unique signature in fiber. At each step along the supply chain, a handheld spectrometer scans the pigment. The data is stored on blockchain, creating a transparent, verified record of the journey from farm to clothes rack. “When you see a shirt was made from 5,000 plastic bottles, you can demonstrate that it actually was,” says CEO Shannon Mercer. It also helps more than 700 manufacturers ensure that their supply chains conform with regulations and ethical standards.
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