The origin of cotton is becoming increasingly important, especially given the increased interest in tracking-and-tracing of materials. Due to the complex structure of the textile production chain, the ultimate origin of the textile fibers is often difficult to trace. A possible solution to this problem is the use of tracers. An example of this is the Swiss company Haelixa, which has launched a tracing system based on a DNA marker and blockchain technology. The marker is sprayed onto the fibers and traceable in the finished garment. In a research project, this technology was able to demonstrate the presence of a specific type of Egyptian cotton in a Hugo Boss shirt.
