Regenagri Taps Haelixa’s DNA-based Traceability Tool for Regenerative Farming

Global regenerative agriculture program Regenagri has partnered with Swiss product traceability outfit Haelixa to apply their DNA marking technology to the textile supply chain.

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Haelixa’s tool adds distinct, identifiable DNA sequences into textile fibers and raw materials which can then be traced through every stage of the supply chain. Using a qPCR forensic testing method, Haelixa’s DNA marker reports provide proof of product origin and verify the data supporting chain of custody.

“Our DNA technology is designed to provide an unmatched level of assurance regarding the origin of products,” said Gediminas Mikutis, CTO of Haelixa. “Through the partnership with Regenagri, we extend these benefits to the regenerative sector, ensuring that certified products are trustworthy and verified.”

The initiative plays into Regenagri’s global regenerative agriculture framework by ensuring high levels of traceability throughout the supply chain from farm to finished product. Regenagri’s network of farmers incorporate regenerative farming systems that increase soil health, encourage biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions and promote climate resilience.

Regenerative agriculture has grown substantially around the globe over the last year, according to the firm’s recent impact report. The group saw a fivefold increase in the number of farms and supply chain operators participating in its regenerative agriculture standards. That translated to the area of land under its certification tripling from 487,000 hectares in 2022 to more than 1.46 million hectares the following year. According to the report, Regenagri’s program now supports more than 230,000 farms and 855 supply chain operators around the globe.

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One of Regenagri’s partners, Arvind Ltd. , a supplier for J. Crew Group, has supported farmers in India to transition more than 2,400 acres to regenerative practices. As a result, J. Crew Group launched its first Regenagri-certified cotton collection in 2022. A number of denim brands, including Candiani and Citizens of Humanity, also have partnered with Regenagri to promote regenerative agricultural practices in its supply chains.

Regenagri CEO Franco Constantini said that the incorporation of Haelixa’s forensic DNA testing technology—which complies with worldwide import and export product origination regulations—will lead to a significant improvement in transparency for the brands and farmers it works with.

“It addresses the growing demand for rigorous traceability assurance, confirming the origin of Regenagri products with unparalleled precision,” he said.

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