Silk Traceability with Trudel: From Mulberry Farm to Finished Product

Silk is one of the finest and smoothest fabrics available, and its quality depends on how it is produced. The highest quality silk comes from silkworms fed on premium mulberry leaves, which requires rigorous cultivation standards. Trudel invests significant effort to achieve this quality. Without physical proof linked to the silk fibre itself, however, several risks remain:

• Legal or compliance issues: Upcoming regulations under the EU Green Deal require greater supply chain transparency and evidence for product claims. Failing to meet them can lead to legal issues, restricted market access and financial penalties.
• Reputation damage: If quality issues arise, a lack of proof to back up claims can cause reputational damage that is hard to recover from.
• Competitive disadvantage: Companies that prioritise transparency attract more customers, leaving others at risk of being overshadowed.

Using TraceDNA™, the silk fibres in Trudel’s spun silk yarns are marked with a specific DNA sequence for each group of farms. Along the supply chain, samples of yarn, fabric and finished products are tested to verify the presence of the original silk fibres or filaments. Each test produces a report on the fibre’s journey, so brands can trace finished accessories and garments back to specific Trudel production lots. The resulting data can also feed Digital Product Passports (DPP).

Silk can be traced by marking the fibres with a DNA sequence specific to their origin before they are spun into yarn. Later, samples of yarn, fabric or the finished product are tested with forensic qPCR. A positive result confirms that the product contains the marked silk and links it back to the production lot it came from, something certificates alone cannot prove.

• Transparency and sustainability: Silk can be traced from mulberry farm to finished product, giving consumers confidence and reinforcing ethical supply chains.
• Regulatory and competitive advantage: Verifiable silk origin helps Trudel align with evolving standards, such as the EU Green Deal, and stand out in the market.
• Brand protection & consumer trust: DNA-based traceability mitigates counterfeiting risks, safeguards brand integrity, and boosts confidence across the supply chain.

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

Trudel is a leading producer and supplier of premium silk products certified by GOTS, GRS and WFTO. The Swiss-Italian company has been in business for more than a century, combining tradition with innovation. Trudel has long-standing partnerships in Asia and Europe, covering every step from the mulberry tree to the finished product, and works with international fashion and luxury brands to bring transparency to the silk value chain.