Haelixa, based in Zurich, Switzerland, is partnering with Nettle Circle to provide the first availably known traceable nettle fibre.

The project that will bring traceability to nettle fibre grown naturally in the Himalayas was launched at the Future Fabric Expo in London (June 28th-29^th).

Nettle Circle provides a sustainable regenerative natural fibre that is versatile, high-performing, circular and now traceable with Haelixa marking technology from bark to end consumer product. This next generation natural fibre grows wildly and can be cultivated with a marginal ecological footprint.

In Summer 2021 the first batches were marked with a unique Haelixa DNA marker made specifically for Nettle Circle to confirm the authenticity of the Himalayan origins of the plant. Nettle bark is extracted from the nettle plant to produce fibres, yarns, and eventually textiles  To ensure traceability at the source, the nettle barks are marked on-site with the unique DNA marker formulation, which is GOTS and OekoTex Standard 100 compliant. The robustness of Haelixa DNA markers has been proven to withstand raw material transformation into fibre and all stages of industrial processing, The markers were verified and detected in the produced yarn with a quick PCR forensic test.

Brands and retailers are currently taking part in the global race to map textile supply chains and introduce physical traceability solutions like Haelixa to comply with stricter regulations and prove claims and qualities.

Nettle crops provide an important livelihood for people living in the remote mountainous villages of the Himalayas.

www.haelixa.com