FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Haelixa is a Swiss technology company, founded in 2016 as a spin-off of ETH Zurich, that develops DNA marker technology for traceability and authentication. Its two solutions are TraceDNA™, which proves the origin of materials such as cotton, cashmere and recycled fibres, and ProofDNA™, which proves the authenticity of luxury products such as watches, jewellery and leather goods.

Haelixa is headquartered in Kemptthal, near Zurich, Switzerland, with offices in Hong Kong and India. The team supports projects with brands, manufacturers and Maisons in supply chains around the world.

TraceDNA™ is for supply chains: it proves where a material comes from as it moves from fibre to finished product. ProofDNA™ is for luxury products: it proves that a finished piece is genuine. Both use the same Haelixa DNA marker.

Haelixa directly supports SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Its patented DNA marker technology enables physical verification of product origin, material provenance and authenticity, through TraceDNA™ for supply chain traceability and ProofDNA™ for luxury goods authentication.

By strengthening supply chain transparency, supporting responsible sourcing and enabling more sustainable industrial practices, Haelixa also contributes indirectly to SDG 13 – Climate Action.

Most solutions rely on documents, labels or digital records that describe a product. Haelixa’s DNA marker sits inside the material itself, so the proof travels with the product. It can identify single mines, farms, lots and supply chain steps, distinguish recycled from conventional materials, and be verified with a portable device, without a complex database.

The DNA marker is delivered as a concentrated liquid, diluted and applied by spraying or immersion during existing finishing or treatment steps. Haelixa works with each brand and supplier to fit the marking into established workflows and quality standards.

Yes. The DNA is protected in a capsule and remains detectable after washing, bleaching, dyeing and other chemical treatments of natural and synthetic textiles, as well as in metals and gemstones. Gold or silver melting and surface layer removal are the only industrial treatments the marker does not survive.

Yes. The marker is harmless, vegan and biodegradable, and is recognized as safe by the FDA (GRAS notice). Its compliance with GOTS, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and ECO PASSPORT is detailed on our Technology page.

Verification uses forensic qPCR testing to detect the project-specific DNA marker. Laboratory analysis delivers results within five business days, documented in a Certificate of Analysis. For luxury products, the ProofDNA™ Reader gives on-site results within minutes.

Textile supply chains are long and complex, and premium materials such as organic cotton or cashmere can be substituted or blended along the way. Traceability lets brands follow materials from source to finished product, confirm they receive what they paid for, back up sustainability claims and respond quickly when issues arise. It also builds trust with suppliers, customers and regulators.

New EU and US rules on supply chain due diligence, forced labour and product information, including Digital Product Passports, require brands to back up claims about where their materials come from. Haelixa’s DNA marker adds forensic evidence to that documentation: test results confirm that the material in the product matches what the records say.

Yes. Haelixa complements digital platforms rather than replacing them. The DNA marker links each physical material or product to its digital record, and test results can be integrated into the systems brands already use. Haelixa works with platforms such as TextileGenesis and TrusTrace, and with other partners across the supply chain.

A lack of universal standards, inconsistent data requests and supplier concerns over data sharing create complexity. Manual and digital systems are vulnerable to error and fraud, leaving brands exposed. As regulations increasingly demand verifiable proof, physical evidence embedded in the material itself is becoming essential to close the ‘rigour gap’.

Global supply chains, online marketplaces and increasingly sophisticated counterfeit networks have lowered the barriers to imitation, while demand for new and pre-owned luxury keeps growing. Beyond lost revenue, counterfeits erode what a Maison is built on: exclusivity, heritage and client trust, among retailers, resale platforms and regulators alike.

With ProofDNA™, an invisible DNA marker is applied to watches, jewellery, leather goods or works of art without affecting design or craftsmanship. Authenticity is verified with a swab and a forensic test, on site or in a laboratory. The ProofDNA™ page explains how it works and how it compares with holograms, NFC tags and blockchain.

No. The marker is invisible and is designed to be identified only through Haelixa’s forensic analysis, so counterfeiters have nothing visible to copy.

No structural changes are required. Marking fits into existing production steps, and the brand keeps full confidentiality and control over the process and its results.

Implementation follows four steps: scope definition, supply chain onboarding, marking and data collection, and verification and reporting. Throughout each stage, Haelixa’s project managers and technical team provide tailored training materials, live training sessions and support calls, with ongoing assistance by email, WhatsApp or WeChat and on-site support when needed.

The cost of fraud, non-compliance, recalls or reputational damage is usually far greater than the cost of verification. Premium materials such as organic cotton and cashmere are frequent targets of fraud, and forensic verification protects both the brand’s reputation and the value it pays for. Costs depend on the volume and scope of each project.

Yes. Haelixa’s customer stories include organic cotton with C&A, recycled denim with Soorty, premium cashmere with FTC, emerald provenance with Gübelin’s Provenance Proof and gold traceability with Argor-Heraeus.

Contact us through the contact form or book a demo. Our team will discuss your project requirements, show how the technology fits your materials or products, and guide you through implementation.