Applied DNA debuts textiles anti-counterfeiting technology

Officials said that the new DNA-based platform has been made possible by a proprietary (patent pending) breakthrough technology, recently developed by the company to identify textile raw materials as well as finished products.

New binding and extraction techniques have enabled an extremely cost-effective, even more flexible and robust anti-counterfeiting and anti-diversion protection for textiles and apparel, including military protective wear. Fibers, yarn, fabric, garments and labels are marked with unique, secure and enduring SigNature DNA that can be definitively authenticated at any point in the supply chain.

SigNature T is a breakthrough because for the first time:

SigNature T DNA becomes bound to the fiber, enabling lower levels of DNA marking than ever previously contemplated.

There is a means to identify authentic fibers and hence assure the quality and performance of the original fiber. SigNature T does not impact the performance or aesthetics of the fiber or the fabric.

High quality fibers, including, but not limited to merino wool, Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, cashmere, silk, and even high performance polyester fibers, can be marked at the original point of manufacture, prior to baling. The SigNature DNA application requires virtually no change to the existing production process, and can be controlled so that each bale or batch can be marked and tracked throughout the supply chain.

Hundreds of millions of kilograms of fiber can be marked using a single DNA marker, offering strong adhesion to the fiber, and providing a means to authenticate anywhere along the supply chain from fiber to the finished product; from distributor, to retailer, to consumer.

Complementary textile-based applications are available, optionally, for even greater flexibility. These may include fiberTyping, a proprietary technology that works by examining the native DNA in a fiber, and digitalDNA, a track-and-trace, cloud-based solution.

Company officials state that these features far outmatch competitive methods for "tagging textiles." These typically use generic, non-specific compounds that will not stand up to the processing of textiles, nor multiple launderings, nor dry cleanings after the item is purchased by the end user. These "generic" compounds also fail to provide the forensic precision of a DNA system for textiles to assure the quality and performance of products.

Dr. James A. Hayward, CEO and President, Applied DNA Sciences, said, "We believe that the existing climate of counterfeiting and diversion within the textile industry is about to experience a dramatic change. Manufacturers armed with SigNature T markers, will gain the upper hand with a flexible, forensic, impenetrable product authentication tool, protecting textiles from fiber to hanger."

About Applied DNA Sciences

APDN is a provider of botanical-DNA based security and authentication solutions that can help identify and protect products, brands and intellectual property of companies, governments and consumers from theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion. SigNature DNA and DNAnet, our principal anti-counterfeiting and product authentication solutions that essentially cannot be copied, provide a forensic chain of evidence and can be used to prosecute perpetrators.

Applied DNA Sciences