Cashmere Traceability and Authenticity with FTC Cashmere

Cashmere is a premium fibre known for its rarity and luxurious feel, and it comes at a high cost. Many cashmere supply chains have weak traceability, allowing counterfeit or blended fibres to enter the market. This compromises the quality of cashmere and diminishes the value of genuine products.

Standards and certifications describe how cashmere should be sourced, but they are not physically linked to the fibre itself. They cannot prove where a fibre comes from or prevent substitution along the way. Protecting consumers and producers requires verification at material level.

Haelixa has worked with FTC Cashmere since 2020 as an independent third party, providing forensic proof of origin and authenticity that consumers can trust.

The raw cashmere is marked at the source in China with a DNA marker developed specifically for FTC, using TraceDNA™. After marking, the cashmere keeps its original quality and properties through processing. FTC also marks its organic cotton and SeaCell™ fibres, each with its own unique DNA marker, and all three can be identified in blended yarns at finished garment level.

Traceable cashmere means the origin of the fibre can be proven, not just declared. With FTC, a DNA marker applied to the raw cashmere in China can still be detected in the finished garment. The “Marked & Traced by Haelixa” label tells consumers that the cashmere in their sweater has been forensically verified to come from FTC’s supply chain.

With Haelixa, FTC launched its collection with the ingredient label “Marked & Traced by Haelixa” and a hang tag that shares the traceability with the end consumer. FTC collections are sold at leading European retailers such as Rinascente and Zalando.

With this solution, FTC can verify the origin and authenticity of its cashmere, supporting its commitments to ethical production and animal welfare.

• Enhanced consumer trust and a stronger brand reputation  
• Verified origin that supports premium pricing
• Protection against counterfeit and blended cashmere, safeguarding brand integrity and customer confidence
• Competitive differentiation in responsible cashmere production
• Progress towards sustainability goals, meeting growing consumer demand for verified products

Among the key achievements, FTC and Haelixa introduced the CALIDA x FTC Cashmere Wellbeing collection, labelled “Marked & Traced by Haelixa”, expanding its visibility and customer base.

This project uses TraceDNA™, Haelixa’s DNA-based solution for supply chain traceability.

FTC Cashmere is a Swiss cashmere brand specialising in high-quality cashmere knitwear in the premium segment. The company manages its own goat breeding programme in Shaanxi, China, with a focus on animal welfare, quality control and sustainability. Its vertically integrated production includes combing, washing, dyeing and spinning at its own facilities, minimising waste along the way.