AFM (Artistic Fabric Mills), the vertically integrated denim manufacturer from Karachi, Pakistan, has collaborated with Aware, a Dutch-based clean-tech firm, to make its sustainable denim materials 100% traceable and easily verifiable for brands and partners.

AFM can track the fiber, yarn, and final garment through every stage of the supply chain using Aware traceability technology. This enables the firm to "concretely demonstrate to companies and consumers that all of their products are created using original sustainable resources.

It's simple to include traceability technology in the production process. A physical tracer is added to the sustainable material at the start of production to create a "unique fingerprint." Simultaneously, the yarn or fabric's "digital twin" is registered on a secure public blockchain.

A simple scan can tell the difference between the fake and real sustainable fabric. The unique fingerprint will be recognized during the scan and matched with the digital twin recorded on the blockchain.

Brands and consumers have direct access to all traceability data, including original certifications, materials used, where it's manufactured, and effect savings. The technology will help AFM gain better control over its supply chain and validate its long-term ambitions, such as completing closed-loop production by 2022.

AFM chairman, Muhammad Iqbal Ahmed, said that with the demand for supply chain transparency, this is an essential step for AFM to demonstrate that, as a vertical supplier, all elements of its operations are regulated and constantly monitored to be aligned with its circular and sustainable goals. From raw materials through garment manufacture, they feel it is critical that their partners have complete faith and trust in their practices.

In the denim industry, Aware is a preferred blockchain option. The technique is used by Denim Deal signatories such as Dutch company Kings of Indigo and Turkish denim mill Calik Denim. Calik recently teamed up with the firm to track the recycled cotton and polyester it uses.

Feico van der Veen, founder, and CEO of Aware, said that traceability is critical since 59% of fashion businesses' sustainability claims are proven to be greenwashing. Aware and Artistic Fabric Mills are on their way to forming a solid relationship to communicate the actual story behind their denim.