Swiss machinery company Rieter has partnered with Haelixa, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), to introduce traceability technology in its yarn production process. Rieter is the first spinning machinery manufacturer to integrate this physical traceability feature, marking a significant step in enhancing transparency within supply chains for textile brands.

By combining Rieter's expertise in processing short-staple fibers with Haelixa's technology, they aim to bring more visibility and resilience to supply chains. This innovative solution seamlessly integrates into existing spinning systems, marking each fiber with a unique DNA marker during mixing. This marking allows the verification of the original fibers throughout the manufacturing process through subsequent testing.

Rieter and Haelixa have successfully conducted in-house testing and validation, leading to the launch of an automated application of the DNA marker in Rieter spinning systems. This application will be made available to customers in the upcoming months. The DNA markers are distributed through an automated spraying system during mixing, ensuring each fiber is physically marked.

This solution can be implemented in new machinery or retrofitted in existing equipment, providing flexibility to manufacturers. Rieter has initially incorporated the automated sprayer into their fiber mixing machines UNImix B 72 and B 76, with options for retrofitting in other machine types as well.

Rico Randegger, Head of Business Group After Sales at Rieter, expressed pride in this collaboration with Haelixa, emphasizing its potential to enhance transparency in textile supply chains. The integration of this innovative solution underscores the role of yarn manufacturing in making the textile value chain more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable.

Gediminas Mikutis, Co-Founder and CTO of Haelixa, highlighted the need to revolutionize the journey from fiber to finished product in the textile industry. He emphasized that by teaming up with Rieter, they have set a new standard for seamlessly adding physical traceability to existing processes. This integration offers brands an opportunity to mitigate risks within their supply chains.