RIL to include Applied DNA's CertainT into R|Elan fabric

The collaboration as set forth in the MOU, provides for potentially extending apparel manufacturing using R|Elan GreenGold, and use of recycled polyester through Recron GreenGold into consumer and industrial applications in the global markets.

Applied DNA has already demonstrated with its supply chain partners, full end-to-end traceability by tagging over 20 million lbs of recycled polyester, testing of hundreds of samples, and tracking of forensically authenticated products from fibre to finished goods. Commercial products are sold in over 4,000 US retail stores, with expansion into international markets before the end of 2019.

Prior to the signing of the MOU, Applied DNA and RIL had tagged recycled polyester at RIL’s facilities in India in successful proof-of-concept studies. Under the MOU, samples will be tested both on-site and at Applied DNA’s laboratory in Ahmedabad. The groundwork for commercial scale-up for DNA production for manufacture of CertainT tagged staple fibre and filament yarn is underway. Joint marketing will support sales and business development in US and European markets.

“At Reliance, we believe that sustainability with traceability is a must and not a maybe. We aim to be an industry leader in sustainability for recycled polyester, and that is why we believe CertainT is the best solution,” said Hemant Sharma, head polyester business, RIL.

As there is much uncertainty related to the use of post-consumer recycled polyester to make sustainability product claims, brands and retailers can be confident that their products marketed and sold as 100 per cent recycled are proven with forensic assurance and authentication.

“Our R|Elan brand is growing in apparel and it is used by brands such as Arrow, Lee, Wrangler, Raymond, Anita Dongre, Kappa and many more. These brands now have the option to add CertainT forensic traceability to assure that their products are sustainable, traceable and authentic,” said Gunjan Sharma, chief marketing officer – polyester business, RIL.

“Without Applied DNA’s proprietary molecular tagging system, the uncertainty, and risk is too high and the burden of proof is much harder for brands and retailers. So, we are very excited to bring a solution that we believe can truly make a difference for the planet, the people and our processes,” added Sharma.

RIL’s Recron GreenGold fibre is made from 100 per cent used PET bottles. It has one of the lowest fibre carbon footprints globally. Sustainable feedstock developments include modern in-house manufacturing for recycling waste PET bottles into sustainable fashion solutions. Eco-friendly manufacturing to ensure maximum water is recycled (up to 90 per cent) and all water re-used in manufacturing and horticulture. Reliance operates a state-of-the-art water effluent treatment process system consistent with their zero-waste concept that all material is either used in process or sold in market.

“Reliance is a key partner for us because you can trust that the post-consumer recycled polyester process is meticulously managed from bottle to fibre, and that scalability is done in a fully controlled environment. Secure chain of custody is a true value addition to the supply chain, and CertainT tagged recycled polyester provides an indelible stamp of approval that many brands and manufacturers need,” said Dr. James A Hayward, president and CEO, Applied DNA Sciences.

RIL is the top-most ranked company from India to feature in Fortune’s Global 500 list of ‘World’s Largest Corporations’ – currently ranking 106th in terms of both revenues and profits. The company stands 71st in the ‘Forbes Global 2000’ rankings for 2019 – top-most among Indian companies. It ranks 10th among LinkedIn’s ‘The Best Companies to Work For In India’ (2019).

Applied DNA is a provider of molecular technologies that enable supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, product genotyping and pre-clinical nucleic acid-based therapeutic drug candidates.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)