Vietnam-based manufacturers Fashion Enterprise and R&T Industry, have successfully completed phase one of applying FibreTrace on Australian Merino wool.

With pilot 1 completed at spinning and pilot 2 currently underway at the scourer, Fashion Enterprise and R&T Industry are poised to launch traceable wool fibres this solution to the market in early 2024.

Partners involved in the project include Woolmark, Indorama and Garment Assembly.

Woolmark provided vital support to the project by sponsoring the Indorama testing, while Indorama successfully applied the FibreTrace technology to the wool tops. Fashion Enterprise and R&T Industry commissioned the pilot and played a crucial role in the weaving and knitting processes, producing high-quality wool suiting fabric and fully fashioned knit yarns.

Approximately 200 kilograms of Australian Merino wool fibre underwent testing at Indorama, yielding promising results. Building on this success, the commercial pilot is set to involve 2.4 tons of Australian Merino wool fibre, exclusively for yarn production for knits.

Fashion Enterprise and R&T Industry are now on track to provide a seamless traceability solution for the entire supply chain, from Australian scouring to China top making, as well as top dying, yarn spinning, and garment knitting in Vietnam.

The wool tops are expected to be ready in early June 2023, followed by yarn production in August.

Multiple clothing brands such as Cue, Veronika Maine and Country Road have already expressed interest in carrying traceable wool on their shelves. Responding to this demand, bulk production will commence in October, ensuring availability in stores for Winter 2024 by February.

“The FibreTrace platform offers the perfect solution to tracing the textile and fashion supply chain – from farm to consumers,” said Rodney Thanh, CEO of Fashion Enterprise and R&T Industry. “Not only are we proud to be the first to offer this solution in Vietnam but we are very excited to offer FibreTrace for both Australian Merino wool along with Good Earth Cotton regenerative cotton from Australia.”

www.fibretrace.io