Post by marriott on Jun 6, 2017 22:46:29 GMT
• The latest news from the Applied DNA Textiles and Apparel Team.
Textile & Apparel News: June 2017
In this month's issue:
• ABC 3340 | Getting what you paid for: Cotton DNA exposes low quality products
• The Business Journals | Introducing PimaCott to U.S. Consumers With The Bed Bath & Beyond Exclusive Wamsutta Label
• Sourcing Journal | Applied DNA Extends Authentication Technology to New Raw Materials
• Is Mass Balance a Reliable Method for Establishing Proof of Product Claims?
• APDN at Get Outdoors Media Event
• APDN to present at AAFA's Traceability Seminar
• Review of the Transparency Pledge
• Aloe Vera in Textiles - SigNature T to the rescue
• APDN at OIA Capitol Summit
• APDN at SYFA Conference
• Upcoming events
Our Textile Team at Applied DNA has been very busy in the months of May and June. The "textile pot" has been bubbling with new partners, products and innovative developments that we believe will bring positive change to supply chains globally.
The most noteworthy news was the Bed Bath and Beyond nationwide launch of Wamsutta® PimaCott as the new standard in Pima Cotton purity. The Pima Cotton fiber is tagged at source (US gins in California), with a DNA molecule that enabling tracking and tracing throughout the supply chain, keeping it in its purest form for customers to enjoy. Supporting our efforts for products grown in, or made in America,
Loftex CEO Charles Gaenslen on his collaboration with Applied DNA said," When we saw the CertainT rollout, everything clicked because it's the direction we were going. There's a sustainability story within the collection, but the whole collection was built to achieve performance." He continues to say, "When we unveiled this in front of our customers it completely validated our thought process. The millennial consumer is the largest sector of the population now and are starting to by houses and dominate new home purchases in the U.S. They are looking for individuality and products that set them apart, and also for products that reflects their various values and one of those values is sustainability."
In addition to this, Applied DNA participated in the annual Outdoor Industry Association's Capitol Summit in DC, and also their Get Outdoors Media Event in New York City. MeiLin Wan, VP of Textiles Sales attended the events to share our textile traceability and sustainability, as well as how molecular tracer technology can be used in a wide range of recycled materials such as PET typically used in insulated fiber in a wide range of home textiles and apparel. The ability to tag sourced materials at the molecular level allows the supply chain to track-and-trace materials to create traceability, transparency and trust in supply chains. CertainT is only a molecule away!
Getting what you paid for: Cotton DNA exposes low quality products | ABC 3340
When it comes to pricey cotton shirts and bed sheets, how do you really know you're getting what you paid for? Last Fall the linen industry was rocked by news sheets supposedly made out of high quality Egyptian cotton were really lower quality blends. New technology that tags cotton with DNA may help weed out future frauds.
Introducing PimaCott To U.S. Consumers With The Bed Bath & Beyond Exclusive Wamsutta Label | The Business Journals
Using a Proprietary DNA Technology, California Grown Pima Cotton is Tracked and Trace Throughout Supply Chain
NEW YORK, May 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Introducing PimaCott, the new standard in Pima Cotton purity. PimaCott is now available at Bed Bath & Beyond stores nationwide and online at bedbathandbeyond.com, in select range of products from its exclusive Wamsutta PimaCott collection.
Pima Cotton, an extra-long staple variety of U.S. grown cotton, is high quality, more durable, brighter and softer than other cottons. Consumers will have the confidence that the products they purchase are truly 100 percent Pima Cotton by looking for the PimaCott label.
PimaCott uses ground-breaking patented technology, developed by Applied DNA Sciences, for ensuring Pima Cotton purity. The Pima Cotton fiber is tagged at source (U.S. gins located in California), with a DNA molecule that enables tracking and tracing throughout the supply chain, keeping it in its purest form for customers to enjoy.
Applied DNA Extends Authentication Technology to New Raw Materials | Sourcing Journal
By Arthur Friedman | May 10, 2017
The Stony Brook, N.Y.-based provider of DNA-based product genotyping, authentication solutions and anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, has introduced several new programs of late and more are in the works.
"Our core message is everything around the letter T - T is for textiles, and it also represents traceability, transparency, and trust," Applied DNA vice president of textile sales MeiLin Wan, said.
Applied DNA has taken this technology from cotton to synthetics and has now added leather. Next, on the drawing board, the company is looking to add down and feathers, as well as silk, cashmere and wool.
The new service platform known as CertainT provides integrated, streamlined access to Applied DNA's end-to-end products and services for confirming a product's authenticity and origin.
What are the supply chain risks on relying on Mass Balance as the sole proof of product claims?
By Courtney O'Keefe
What is the Mass Balance? Quite simply- a reconciliation of the total amount of raw material input a company receives compared to the total amount shipped out.
How does that work? Typically, by third party auditors and transaction certificates. Mass balance and reconciliation is as essential as any internal audit. A systemic check and balance system helps provide a broad view of compliance.
Do you have full traceability from source to shelf? No. In a mass balance system, the fundamental nature of how products are moved through the chain of custody is one that consolidates and co-mingles to achieve economies scale in transport. This is also further compounded by the fact that large operations work with inventory positions of materials to assure a consistent flow of goods. Those goods can flow first in - first out (FIFO) or last in - first out (LIFO) depending on the philosophy of the company. So it can be very difficult using mass balance to clearly distinguish or segregate what you have, especially in finished goods. With mass balance, there is variation in processing wastage in every stage of fiber transformation. these wastage factors are not finite and have a wide range of variance influenced by a very wide range of factors.
Do you know if Uzbekistan cotton is included in cotton using Mass Balance? No, because you are only looking at inputs and outputs. Typically, certified and non-certified materials are mixed from the onset, long before a raw material is connected to a Brand's purchase order. Mass balance systems do not account for who, how and when cotton is combined at the spinner and then woven or knitted into fabrics.
Is a Transaction Certificate enough to provide claims of traceability and sustainability? No. Certification claims through Transaction certificates help "back up" claims and meet legal requirements, but they do not provide explicit proof of the claim. Certification through the use of transaction certificates can provide a veil of due diligence.
Also note that audits by the Certification bodies to create a Transaction certificate take time and typically demand additional internal resources from the manufacturer. When manufacturers are required to comply with many different standards, multiple audits occur, creating audit fatigue. Manufacturers are managing a wide range of audits on a daily basis including social compliance and local regulatory compliance.
Who bears the ultimate burden of proof of product claims? Ultimately the burden of proof of product claims remains with the Brands and Retailer. Each Brand or Retailer manages a wide range of risks within their supply chain. None is greater than one that has an impact on the final consumer. You can pay penalties and fines for non-compliance but fighting to regain a customer after losing them is far more costly to the Brand.
A Guide to Traceability: A practical Approach to Advance Sustainability in Global Supply Chains, UN Global Compact, BSR
APDN at Get Outdoors Media Event
May 11 & 12 - Applied DNA Science launched CertainT at the Metropolitan Pavillion in New York City meeting with over 30 editors and journalists for top consumer apparel, outdoor recreation and lifestyle trade and online publications throughout the US. Many of which will be visiting our Stony Brook labs to learn more about how CertainT molecular tagging, testing and tracking works to help textile supply chains stay true to their product claims, as well as assure quality and integrity of the performance of their source materials.
Applied DNA Sciences introduced media to meet "Cindy CertainT" our multi-layered mannequin displaying how molecular tracer technology can be used to tag wool in Cindy's Cashmere cap, or follow the pin-stripe yarn used to make her bespoke suit, or identify the 100% pure Pimacott fiber used in her cotton shirt,
or ensure it is in fact recycled PET used to produce her orange base layer, or the molecular tag used to ensure a secure chain of custody for her leather belt, or the proper indigo dyes used to produce her denim jeans. Like Cindy's multi-layered ensemble, CertainT provides brands, manufacturers and consumers with Traceability, Transparency and Trust at every stage of the supply chain.
Many editors learned about the power of our molecular tagging system through the launch of Pimacott at Bed Bath and Beyond. It turns out, coincidentally, that across the street from our event was the full size window displaying Pimacott at the Bed Bath and Beyond flagship store.
We enjoyed meeting many of the innovative companies like Primaloft that are using PET and recycled PET fibers in insulating many of the great outdoor winter jackets you see in this picture. We also met with other companies that were demonstrating the importance of knowing where your fiber and fabrics come from like Ulu that makes very warm winter leather boots. And we were able to learn more about how PET fibers can also be used in Scentlok socks and the strength of Hyperlite's phenomenal backpacks that are paper thin and can carry a heavy load. When you are climbing that mountain, every ounce that you carry feels like a ton so having an ultra light backpack makes a huge difference to the climber. Would also be good for frequent business travelers!
APDN to present at AAFA's Traceability Seminar
• Taking place July 19 in Chicago, AAFA's Traceability Seminar is an interactive program that will help you navigate your supply chain, and will feature facilitated breakout discussions and case studies.
• With brand reputation, environmental repercussions, labor discord and more at stake, mapping and prioritizing your supply chain is an important step in mitigating risk and understanding transparency.
• This seminar is open to all industry; committee meetings are for members only.
• Applied DNA's Case Study: Cotton Tracing: Using DNA has helped solve mysteries for years. The ability to tag sourced materials at the molecular level allows the supply chain to test and track materials to create transparency that is certain.
Review of the Transparency Pledge
by Surabhi Mukhi, APDN Textile Project Manager
Nine NGOs that are reflecting on the 4th Anniversary of the Rana Plaza Building Collapse. They have compiled a report called, "Follow the Thread, the Need for Supply Chain Transparency in the Garment and Footwear Industry." The Report asks some pertinent questions like, "Under what conditions were your garments really made. Does the label make this clear enough? Do you as a consumer know that nothing evil was done to the thousands of workers in the supply chain when your garments are being made?"
Human Rights Watch
• For more than a decade, Adidas, Levi Strauss, Nike, Patagonia, and Puma have been publishing information on their supplier factories.
• For sustainability and millennial minded companies, supply chain transparency has become the starting point of dialogue with its customers.
• Putting forward your sourcing information is now considered a robust, trust building decision as opposed to a business secret to be hidden in fear of competitive disadvantage.
• In order to avoid impact on human rights, all companies need to collaborate with society and reveal to the people at large the information regarding their goods and how these goods are being sourced. At least once or twice a year, the company will publish on its website on a regular basis a list naming all sites that manufacture its products.
• By end of 2016 at least, 29 global apparel companies had published some information about the factories that manufacture their products. In order to build this momentum, a nine-member coalition of labor and human rights organizations and global unions endorsed the Transparency Pledge.
• The coalition consists of Clean Clothes Campaign, Human Rights Watch, IndustriALL Global Union, the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable, the International Labor Rights Forum, the International Trade Union Confederation, the Maquila Solidarity Network, UNI Global Union, and the Worker Rights Consortium.
• Apparel companies that had previously published supply chain information and made a commitment to publish additional supplier factory information by December 2017 in full alignment with the pledge standards are Adidas, C&A, Cotton On Group, Esprit, G-Star RAW, H&M Group, Hanesbrands, Levis, Lindex, Nike, and Patagonia.
The kind of details that the pledge basis its rationale upon are;
• Name and street address-helps identify a factory
• Worker numbers-Reveals the size of the operation
• Product type-apparel, footwear, home etc.
• Parent company information of the factory disclosed, at least for all production (cut-make trim) factories-to find out if the vendor owns or just controls the factory
• Searchable and downloadable format- helps facilitate fast reporting of risks to labor rights and redress for grievances.
• Frequency of updates-update the information at least twice a year.
Investors and multi stakeholders should endorse the transparency pledge as well. Just adapting a pledge and revealing information is not enough. Brands should have transparent business practices and help in strengthening human rights due diligence worldwide.
Aloe Vera inTextiles - SigNatureT to the Rescue
By Dr. Barbara E. Brockway, Ph.D, Director Personal Care, Applied DNA Sciences
ALOE VERA CLOSE TO SKIN
Have you pampered your feet while you sleep with socks made to deliver actives and extracts or won cosmetic gloves, which contain a special moisturizing aloe lotion (www.jasminesilk.com)? Perhas your leather shoes have been treated with an aloe vera delivery system to sooth? [1] Incorporating aloe vera in all types of consumer products is becoming a popular trend. Aloe vera can now be found in diverse products from toilet tissue wipes (www.andrex.co.uk/products) to the soft shine stockings made by Pretty Polly with softening Aloe Vera (www.prettypolly.co.uk). Even the disposable gloves used for work can have been enhanced with a special aloe vera containing gel to deliver soothing relief while the gloves are worn [2]. The trend for including cosmetic actives in garments worn next to your skin is here but so too is including aloe vera in other types of other smart textiles. May be that good night sleep you had was on a Dormeo Aloe Vera infused mattress [3].
SMART TEXTILES
Delivery from smart textiles containing micro-encapsulated actives, can be triggered simply through friction generated when we move our bodies, by causing changes to the textile's surface's pH or through changes in temperature or humidity [1]. Dermotextiles offer a great opportunity to slowly deliver actives while we go about our daily lives. Dermotextiles can be printed with a continuous controlled release system of encapsulated actives intended for cosmetic, therapeutic, pharmaceutical or medical use [4]. The quiet but steadily growing popularity of cosmetotextiles and the expanding use of dermotextile technology, means it is very likely that you are already using a consumer textile product, which has been treated to released aloe vera on contact.
PROPERTIES OF ALOE VERA MAKE IT SPECIAL
Why is Aloe vera so suited to cosmetotextiles claims such as soothing and even for antimicrobial? Aloe vera has been used for over 6,000 years for its therapeutic properties. Cleopatra is believed to have claimed that her beauty was due to the aloe vera plant. Traditionally aloe vera is recognized for its soothing and healing properties but aloe vera is also known for being antimicrobial. The aloe vera plant A. Barbadensis contains over 70 nutrients and active compounds, including six antiseptic agents (anthraquinone, sulfates, lupeol, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol), which together can provide the reported antimicrobial activity [5,7] Results show aloe gel treated cotton can be effective against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. This activity is retained after washing, making aloe vera an ecofriendly bioactive suitable for fabric treatments [8].
HOW CAN YOU BE SURE ALOE VERA IS TRANSFERRED? SIGNATURE DNA TO THE RESUCE
Interestingly, the imprinted release-system can be made into a visual pattern, which when used will slowly disappears and so indicate to the user that the active has been transferred onto skin [6]. However, a fading pattern is only an indication and is not proof that the aloe vera has been delivered. Recent analysis of Aloe vera cosmetic gels has brought to light just how difficult it can be to prove the presents of Aloe vera. The main biochemical used to identify Aloe vera (acemannan) can be missing from extracts simply because of nonspecific binding or through nonenzymic reactions such as Maillard Browning. Even the Bar Code of Life cannot be relied on in these consumer gels, however Applied DNA Sciences molecular tags consistently mark the presence of Aloe vera even at 1 million-fold dilutions making this technology [9]. By confirming the transfer of the active, Applied DNA Sciences technology can come to the rescue of all types of smart textiles.
APDN at OIA Capitol Summit
This year's Capitol Summit was the largest in OIA history with more than 130 attendees.
MeiLin Wan, VP of textiles, attended the OIA Capitol Summit on behalf of Applied DNA Sciences, and participated on the Trade Team meeting with representatives for Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senator Angus King (I-ME). Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Rep. Pat Meehan (R-PA), Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH). Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL).
The OIA Capitol Summit held a Reception hosted by REI at their flagship store in Washington D.C. MeiLin has visited many REI stores around the country but this was special - bringing the outdoors indoors! You can see that there is plenty of places to sit and relax and it clearly represents the breadth and depth of products that is a part of the $887 billion dollars that consumers spend every year and an economy that hires over 7.6 million Americans.
The team asked to support federal tariff reform and specific initiatives that relieve outdoor businesses of the disproportionately high and unnecessary import taxes that stifle innovation, suppress employment expansion and artificially inflate retail prices on outdoor products.
• Educate the industry about and promote supply chain and global sourcing trends that support predictability, facilitate speed to market and minimize unnecessary disruptions.
• Support policies that promote a fair and balanced retail environment, regardless of retail channel.
• Support outdoor businesses that manufacture their products in the United States, serve as convener of information sharing and educate outdoor industry executives about policies that promote access to foreign markets and a level playing field in a global economy.
• Support policies that promote and incentivize sustainable outdoor products and supply chains.
APDN at SYFA Conference
By John Shearman
The SYFA Spring Conference was well attended by the members. The agenda covered topics from
man-made cellulose fiber market to sourcing the right materials from a brand perspective and many others. The participants were from areas like fiber producers, texturizers, staple yarn manufacturers, fabric producers for apparel, automotive, upholstery, and industrial markets. Additionally, raw material suppliers, equipment manufacturers. All the speakers were very knowledgeable and provided wonderful insights that we can consider as we develop our businesses. It was a great opportunity to interface with many of the members and share best practices, as well as the latest innovations in industry. We look forward to attending the fall conference.
Upcoming events
On behalf of the New York Academy of Sciences and the Clinton Global Initiative, Dr. James A. Hayward from Applied DNA Sciences will participate as a panelist in a webinar titled "Innovations in Supply Chain Traceability" scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 12 noon - 1 PM Eastern Time. The aim of the webinar is to bring together some of the most innovative thinkers in supply chain innovation for an exploration on how new technologies and data analytic solutions are providing possibilities for ensuring traceability and identifying potential risks along the supply chain.
AAFA Supply Chain Innovation - Sourcing Conference
New York City June 7-8
World of Wipes Event
Nashville, TN June 12-15
AAFA Traceability Seminar
Chicago, Illinois July 19
New York Home Fashions Week
New York City September 11-14
Sourcing Journal Event
New York City October 17
Textile Exchange Sustainability Conference
Washington, D.C. October 9-13
The Running Event Austin, Texas November 28 - December 1
Textile & Apparel News: June 2017
In this month's issue:
• ABC 3340 | Getting what you paid for: Cotton DNA exposes low quality products
• The Business Journals | Introducing PimaCott to U.S. Consumers With The Bed Bath & Beyond Exclusive Wamsutta Label
• Sourcing Journal | Applied DNA Extends Authentication Technology to New Raw Materials
• Is Mass Balance a Reliable Method for Establishing Proof of Product Claims?
• APDN at Get Outdoors Media Event
• APDN to present at AAFA's Traceability Seminar
• Review of the Transparency Pledge
• Aloe Vera in Textiles - SigNature T to the rescue
• APDN at OIA Capitol Summit
• APDN at SYFA Conference
• Upcoming events
Our Textile Team at Applied DNA has been very busy in the months of May and June. The "textile pot" has been bubbling with new partners, products and innovative developments that we believe will bring positive change to supply chains globally.
The most noteworthy news was the Bed Bath and Beyond nationwide launch of Wamsutta® PimaCott as the new standard in Pima Cotton purity. The Pima Cotton fiber is tagged at source (US gins in California), with a DNA molecule that enabling tracking and tracing throughout the supply chain, keeping it in its purest form for customers to enjoy. Supporting our efforts for products grown in, or made in America,
Loftex CEO Charles Gaenslen on his collaboration with Applied DNA said," When we saw the CertainT rollout, everything clicked because it's the direction we were going. There's a sustainability story within the collection, but the whole collection was built to achieve performance." He continues to say, "When we unveiled this in front of our customers it completely validated our thought process. The millennial consumer is the largest sector of the population now and are starting to by houses and dominate new home purchases in the U.S. They are looking for individuality and products that set them apart, and also for products that reflects their various values and one of those values is sustainability."
In addition to this, Applied DNA participated in the annual Outdoor Industry Association's Capitol Summit in DC, and also their Get Outdoors Media Event in New York City. MeiLin Wan, VP of Textiles Sales attended the events to share our textile traceability and sustainability, as well as how molecular tracer technology can be used in a wide range of recycled materials such as PET typically used in insulated fiber in a wide range of home textiles and apparel. The ability to tag sourced materials at the molecular level allows the supply chain to track-and-trace materials to create traceability, transparency and trust in supply chains. CertainT is only a molecule away!
Getting what you paid for: Cotton DNA exposes low quality products | ABC 3340
When it comes to pricey cotton shirts and bed sheets, how do you really know you're getting what you paid for? Last Fall the linen industry was rocked by news sheets supposedly made out of high quality Egyptian cotton were really lower quality blends. New technology that tags cotton with DNA may help weed out future frauds.
Introducing PimaCott To U.S. Consumers With The Bed Bath & Beyond Exclusive Wamsutta Label | The Business Journals
Using a Proprietary DNA Technology, California Grown Pima Cotton is Tracked and Trace Throughout Supply Chain
NEW YORK, May 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Introducing PimaCott, the new standard in Pima Cotton purity. PimaCott is now available at Bed Bath & Beyond stores nationwide and online at bedbathandbeyond.com, in select range of products from its exclusive Wamsutta PimaCott collection.
Pima Cotton, an extra-long staple variety of U.S. grown cotton, is high quality, more durable, brighter and softer than other cottons. Consumers will have the confidence that the products they purchase are truly 100 percent Pima Cotton by looking for the PimaCott label.
PimaCott uses ground-breaking patented technology, developed by Applied DNA Sciences, for ensuring Pima Cotton purity. The Pima Cotton fiber is tagged at source (U.S. gins located in California), with a DNA molecule that enables tracking and tracing throughout the supply chain, keeping it in its purest form for customers to enjoy.
Applied DNA Extends Authentication Technology to New Raw Materials | Sourcing Journal
By Arthur Friedman | May 10, 2017
The Stony Brook, N.Y.-based provider of DNA-based product genotyping, authentication solutions and anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, has introduced several new programs of late and more are in the works.
"Our core message is everything around the letter T - T is for textiles, and it also represents traceability, transparency, and trust," Applied DNA vice president of textile sales MeiLin Wan, said.
Applied DNA has taken this technology from cotton to synthetics and has now added leather. Next, on the drawing board, the company is looking to add down and feathers, as well as silk, cashmere and wool.
The new service platform known as CertainT provides integrated, streamlined access to Applied DNA's end-to-end products and services for confirming a product's authenticity and origin.
What are the supply chain risks on relying on Mass Balance as the sole proof of product claims?
By Courtney O'Keefe
What is the Mass Balance? Quite simply- a reconciliation of the total amount of raw material input a company receives compared to the total amount shipped out.
How does that work? Typically, by third party auditors and transaction certificates. Mass balance and reconciliation is as essential as any internal audit. A systemic check and balance system helps provide a broad view of compliance.
Do you have full traceability from source to shelf? No. In a mass balance system, the fundamental nature of how products are moved through the chain of custody is one that consolidates and co-mingles to achieve economies scale in transport. This is also further compounded by the fact that large operations work with inventory positions of materials to assure a consistent flow of goods. Those goods can flow first in - first out (FIFO) or last in - first out (LIFO) depending on the philosophy of the company. So it can be very difficult using mass balance to clearly distinguish or segregate what you have, especially in finished goods. With mass balance, there is variation in processing wastage in every stage of fiber transformation. these wastage factors are not finite and have a wide range of variance influenced by a very wide range of factors.
Do you know if Uzbekistan cotton is included in cotton using Mass Balance? No, because you are only looking at inputs and outputs. Typically, certified and non-certified materials are mixed from the onset, long before a raw material is connected to a Brand's purchase order. Mass balance systems do not account for who, how and when cotton is combined at the spinner and then woven or knitted into fabrics.
Is a Transaction Certificate enough to provide claims of traceability and sustainability? No. Certification claims through Transaction certificates help "back up" claims and meet legal requirements, but they do not provide explicit proof of the claim. Certification through the use of transaction certificates can provide a veil of due diligence.
Also note that audits by the Certification bodies to create a Transaction certificate take time and typically demand additional internal resources from the manufacturer. When manufacturers are required to comply with many different standards, multiple audits occur, creating audit fatigue. Manufacturers are managing a wide range of audits on a daily basis including social compliance and local regulatory compliance.
Who bears the ultimate burden of proof of product claims? Ultimately the burden of proof of product claims remains with the Brands and Retailer. Each Brand or Retailer manages a wide range of risks within their supply chain. None is greater than one that has an impact on the final consumer. You can pay penalties and fines for non-compliance but fighting to regain a customer after losing them is far more costly to the Brand.
A Guide to Traceability: A practical Approach to Advance Sustainability in Global Supply Chains, UN Global Compact, BSR
APDN at Get Outdoors Media Event
May 11 & 12 - Applied DNA Science launched CertainT at the Metropolitan Pavillion in New York City meeting with over 30 editors and journalists for top consumer apparel, outdoor recreation and lifestyle trade and online publications throughout the US. Many of which will be visiting our Stony Brook labs to learn more about how CertainT molecular tagging, testing and tracking works to help textile supply chains stay true to their product claims, as well as assure quality and integrity of the performance of their source materials.
Applied DNA Sciences introduced media to meet "Cindy CertainT" our multi-layered mannequin displaying how molecular tracer technology can be used to tag wool in Cindy's Cashmere cap, or follow the pin-stripe yarn used to make her bespoke suit, or identify the 100% pure Pimacott fiber used in her cotton shirt,
or ensure it is in fact recycled PET used to produce her orange base layer, or the molecular tag used to ensure a secure chain of custody for her leather belt, or the proper indigo dyes used to produce her denim jeans. Like Cindy's multi-layered ensemble, CertainT provides brands, manufacturers and consumers with Traceability, Transparency and Trust at every stage of the supply chain.
Many editors learned about the power of our molecular tagging system through the launch of Pimacott at Bed Bath and Beyond. It turns out, coincidentally, that across the street from our event was the full size window displaying Pimacott at the Bed Bath and Beyond flagship store.
We enjoyed meeting many of the innovative companies like Primaloft that are using PET and recycled PET fibers in insulating many of the great outdoor winter jackets you see in this picture. We also met with other companies that were demonstrating the importance of knowing where your fiber and fabrics come from like Ulu that makes very warm winter leather boots. And we were able to learn more about how PET fibers can also be used in Scentlok socks and the strength of Hyperlite's phenomenal backpacks that are paper thin and can carry a heavy load. When you are climbing that mountain, every ounce that you carry feels like a ton so having an ultra light backpack makes a huge difference to the climber. Would also be good for frequent business travelers!
APDN to present at AAFA's Traceability Seminar
• Taking place July 19 in Chicago, AAFA's Traceability Seminar is an interactive program that will help you navigate your supply chain, and will feature facilitated breakout discussions and case studies.
• With brand reputation, environmental repercussions, labor discord and more at stake, mapping and prioritizing your supply chain is an important step in mitigating risk and understanding transparency.
• This seminar is open to all industry; committee meetings are for members only.
• Applied DNA's Case Study: Cotton Tracing: Using DNA has helped solve mysteries for years. The ability to tag sourced materials at the molecular level allows the supply chain to test and track materials to create transparency that is certain.
Review of the Transparency Pledge
by Surabhi Mukhi, APDN Textile Project Manager
Nine NGOs that are reflecting on the 4th Anniversary of the Rana Plaza Building Collapse. They have compiled a report called, "Follow the Thread, the Need for Supply Chain Transparency in the Garment and Footwear Industry." The Report asks some pertinent questions like, "Under what conditions were your garments really made. Does the label make this clear enough? Do you as a consumer know that nothing evil was done to the thousands of workers in the supply chain when your garments are being made?"
Human Rights Watch
• For more than a decade, Adidas, Levi Strauss, Nike, Patagonia, and Puma have been publishing information on their supplier factories.
• For sustainability and millennial minded companies, supply chain transparency has become the starting point of dialogue with its customers.
• Putting forward your sourcing information is now considered a robust, trust building decision as opposed to a business secret to be hidden in fear of competitive disadvantage.
• In order to avoid impact on human rights, all companies need to collaborate with society and reveal to the people at large the information regarding their goods and how these goods are being sourced. At least once or twice a year, the company will publish on its website on a regular basis a list naming all sites that manufacture its products.
• By end of 2016 at least, 29 global apparel companies had published some information about the factories that manufacture their products. In order to build this momentum, a nine-member coalition of labor and human rights organizations and global unions endorsed the Transparency Pledge.
• The coalition consists of Clean Clothes Campaign, Human Rights Watch, IndustriALL Global Union, the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable, the International Labor Rights Forum, the International Trade Union Confederation, the Maquila Solidarity Network, UNI Global Union, and the Worker Rights Consortium.
• Apparel companies that had previously published supply chain information and made a commitment to publish additional supplier factory information by December 2017 in full alignment with the pledge standards are Adidas, C&A, Cotton On Group, Esprit, G-Star RAW, H&M Group, Hanesbrands, Levis, Lindex, Nike, and Patagonia.
The kind of details that the pledge basis its rationale upon are;
• Name and street address-helps identify a factory
• Worker numbers-Reveals the size of the operation
• Product type-apparel, footwear, home etc.
• Parent company information of the factory disclosed, at least for all production (cut-make trim) factories-to find out if the vendor owns or just controls the factory
• Searchable and downloadable format- helps facilitate fast reporting of risks to labor rights and redress for grievances.
• Frequency of updates-update the information at least twice a year.
Investors and multi stakeholders should endorse the transparency pledge as well. Just adapting a pledge and revealing information is not enough. Brands should have transparent business practices and help in strengthening human rights due diligence worldwide.
Aloe Vera inTextiles - SigNatureT to the Rescue
By Dr. Barbara E. Brockway, Ph.D, Director Personal Care, Applied DNA Sciences
ALOE VERA CLOSE TO SKIN
Have you pampered your feet while you sleep with socks made to deliver actives and extracts or won cosmetic gloves, which contain a special moisturizing aloe lotion (www.jasminesilk.com)? Perhas your leather shoes have been treated with an aloe vera delivery system to sooth? [1] Incorporating aloe vera in all types of consumer products is becoming a popular trend. Aloe vera can now be found in diverse products from toilet tissue wipes (www.andrex.co.uk/products) to the soft shine stockings made by Pretty Polly with softening Aloe Vera (www.prettypolly.co.uk). Even the disposable gloves used for work can have been enhanced with a special aloe vera containing gel to deliver soothing relief while the gloves are worn [2]. The trend for including cosmetic actives in garments worn next to your skin is here but so too is including aloe vera in other types of other smart textiles. May be that good night sleep you had was on a Dormeo Aloe Vera infused mattress [3].
SMART TEXTILES
Delivery from smart textiles containing micro-encapsulated actives, can be triggered simply through friction generated when we move our bodies, by causing changes to the textile's surface's pH or through changes in temperature or humidity [1]. Dermotextiles offer a great opportunity to slowly deliver actives while we go about our daily lives. Dermotextiles can be printed with a continuous controlled release system of encapsulated actives intended for cosmetic, therapeutic, pharmaceutical or medical use [4]. The quiet but steadily growing popularity of cosmetotextiles and the expanding use of dermotextile technology, means it is very likely that you are already using a consumer textile product, which has been treated to released aloe vera on contact.
PROPERTIES OF ALOE VERA MAKE IT SPECIAL
Why is Aloe vera so suited to cosmetotextiles claims such as soothing and even for antimicrobial? Aloe vera has been used for over 6,000 years for its therapeutic properties. Cleopatra is believed to have claimed that her beauty was due to the aloe vera plant. Traditionally aloe vera is recognized for its soothing and healing properties but aloe vera is also known for being antimicrobial. The aloe vera plant A. Barbadensis contains over 70 nutrients and active compounds, including six antiseptic agents (anthraquinone, sulfates, lupeol, salicylic acid, cinnamic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol), which together can provide the reported antimicrobial activity [5,7] Results show aloe gel treated cotton can be effective against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. This activity is retained after washing, making aloe vera an ecofriendly bioactive suitable for fabric treatments [8].
HOW CAN YOU BE SURE ALOE VERA IS TRANSFERRED? SIGNATURE DNA TO THE RESUCE
Interestingly, the imprinted release-system can be made into a visual pattern, which when used will slowly disappears and so indicate to the user that the active has been transferred onto skin [6]. However, a fading pattern is only an indication and is not proof that the aloe vera has been delivered. Recent analysis of Aloe vera cosmetic gels has brought to light just how difficult it can be to prove the presents of Aloe vera. The main biochemical used to identify Aloe vera (acemannan) can be missing from extracts simply because of nonspecific binding or through nonenzymic reactions such as Maillard Browning. Even the Bar Code of Life cannot be relied on in these consumer gels, however Applied DNA Sciences molecular tags consistently mark the presence of Aloe vera even at 1 million-fold dilutions making this technology [9]. By confirming the transfer of the active, Applied DNA Sciences technology can come to the rescue of all types of smart textiles.
APDN at OIA Capitol Summit
This year's Capitol Summit was the largest in OIA history with more than 130 attendees.
MeiLin Wan, VP of textiles, attended the OIA Capitol Summit on behalf of Applied DNA Sciences, and participated on the Trade Team meeting with representatives for Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senator Angus King (I-ME). Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Rep. Pat Meehan (R-PA), Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH). Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL).
The OIA Capitol Summit held a Reception hosted by REI at their flagship store in Washington D.C. MeiLin has visited many REI stores around the country but this was special - bringing the outdoors indoors! You can see that there is plenty of places to sit and relax and it clearly represents the breadth and depth of products that is a part of the $887 billion dollars that consumers spend every year and an economy that hires over 7.6 million Americans.
The team asked to support federal tariff reform and specific initiatives that relieve outdoor businesses of the disproportionately high and unnecessary import taxes that stifle innovation, suppress employment expansion and artificially inflate retail prices on outdoor products.
• Educate the industry about and promote supply chain and global sourcing trends that support predictability, facilitate speed to market and minimize unnecessary disruptions.
• Support policies that promote a fair and balanced retail environment, regardless of retail channel.
• Support outdoor businesses that manufacture their products in the United States, serve as convener of information sharing and educate outdoor industry executives about policies that promote access to foreign markets and a level playing field in a global economy.
• Support policies that promote and incentivize sustainable outdoor products and supply chains.
APDN at SYFA Conference
By John Shearman
The SYFA Spring Conference was well attended by the members. The agenda covered topics from
man-made cellulose fiber market to sourcing the right materials from a brand perspective and many others. The participants were from areas like fiber producers, texturizers, staple yarn manufacturers, fabric producers for apparel, automotive, upholstery, and industrial markets. Additionally, raw material suppliers, equipment manufacturers. All the speakers were very knowledgeable and provided wonderful insights that we can consider as we develop our businesses. It was a great opportunity to interface with many of the members and share best practices, as well as the latest innovations in industry. We look forward to attending the fall conference.
Upcoming events
On behalf of the New York Academy of Sciences and the Clinton Global Initiative, Dr. James A. Hayward from Applied DNA Sciences will participate as a panelist in a webinar titled "Innovations in Supply Chain Traceability" scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 12 noon - 1 PM Eastern Time. The aim of the webinar is to bring together some of the most innovative thinkers in supply chain innovation for an exploration on how new technologies and data analytic solutions are providing possibilities for ensuring traceability and identifying potential risks along the supply chain.
AAFA Supply Chain Innovation - Sourcing Conference
New York City June 7-8
World of Wipes Event
Nashville, TN June 12-15
AAFA Traceability Seminar
Chicago, Illinois July 19
New York Home Fashions Week
New York City September 11-14
Sourcing Journal Event
New York City October 17
Textile Exchange Sustainability Conference
Washington, D.C. October 9-13
The Running Event Austin, Texas November 28 - December 1