FibreTrace has announced an innovative partnership with Target Corp. and Cargill to integrate luminescent pigments into raw cotton during the ginning process, creating a unique signature that can be tracked and identified throughout the global supply chain. By utilizing FibreTrace’s technology, Target Corp. can trace and verify the origin of fibre in real-time, promoting accountability and enhancing the value of digital traceability solutions.

The partnership will begin by marking 50,000 metric tons of U.S. and Brazilian raw cotton in the first year, starting with U.S. cotton. This collaboration aims to establish real-time verification for U.S. and Brazilian cotton, ensuring trust and credibility throughout the production lifecycle.

“FibreTrace® is excited to collaborate with Target and Cargill to deliver innovation, transparency, and fibre integrity for U.S. and Brazilian cotton,” said Mitch Standen, Head of Americas for FibreTrace®.

“We hope this partnership will inspire other companies to see the potential of this level of traceability,” said Danielle Statham, Founder & Managing Director of FibreTrace®. “We encourage other brands to follow our lead in providing this degree of transparency to customers.”

This partnership between FibreTrace®, Target, and Cargill highlights a shared commitment to sustainability and transparency in the apparel and home products industries. “Achieving full visibility of where the cotton used in our products is grown is a top priority for our sustainability goals,” said Bill Foudy, Senior Vice President and President of Owned Brands at Target. “Our partnership with FibreTrace and Cargill is a crucial step toward improving traceability and accelerating these efforts with our suppliers.”

“Cargill is essential as the supply chain partner, ensuring FibreTrace is implemented in our process at the gin and then delivering that specific cotton to Target,” said Matt Dunbar, Managing Director of Cargill Cotton. “We are excited to build a traceable supply chain that helps Target pinpoint the source of their cotton, leveraging FibreTrace’s technology.”