Building a Traceable Egyptian Cotton Supply Chain with WEBA & Hugo Boss

This collaboration shows how technology can bring transparency to complex supply chains. Haelixa, WEBA, and Hugo Boss set a model for traceable, sustainable textile practices.

About Hugo Boss & WEBA

Hugo Boss: A leading global fashion brand renowned for it’s high-quality menswear, including premium dress shirts.

WEBA: A Swiss manufacturer with over 75 years of experience producing high-end fabrics, partnering with local farmers in Egypt to source exclusive GIZA cotton varieties.

The Challenge

It’s no secret that products labelled as “Egyptian cotton” seem everywhere, but the supply of verified Egyptian cotton is limited, raising concerns about their authenticity. Hugo Boss wanted to ensure their premium dress shirts were made from real Egyptian cotton. This required a reliable method to confirm he cotton’s origin and maintain transparency throughout the supply chain.

The Solution

Haelixa provided an innovative, science-backed solution to enable complete traceability of Egyptian cotton fibers from farm to fabric.

“Transparency has been one of the most important goals since we started harvesting organic GIZA cotton in Egypt. The unique Haelixa technology is a major break-through in guaranteeing full physical traceability along the whole supply chain. ”

Benjamin Fuchs

CEO at WEBA

Key Elements of the Solution

Custom DNA marker integration: Haelixa developed a unique DNA marker that was applied as a fine spray to GIZA 96 lint cotton at the ginnery in Borg Al Arab, Egypt. These markers remain embedded in the fibers throughout industrial processing.
Seamless production integration: WEBA incorporated the markers into their current production processes without causing any disruptions.
End-to-end verification: Samples were verified at various stages – lint cotton, yarn, and fabric – ensuring traceability from the start to the finished garment.

The Results

The collaboration between Haelixa, WEBA, and Hugo Boss delivered the following impactful results:

100% traceability achieved: Cotton fibers were rigorously tracked from their source to the finished product, ensuring every Hugo Boss dress shirt was made from authentic and traceable Egyptian cotton
Consumer confidence enhanced: Customers gained assurance of product authenticity and sustainability.
Industry leadership reinforced: Hugo Boss established itself as a leader with transparent and sustainable practices.
Ease of implementation: The DNA marking solution integrates seamlessly, ensuring the highest level of operational efficiency.