In 2020, Cone Denim was the world’s first denim mill to use a unique method to truly verify the origin of its fabric. Cone Denim and Oritain use cutting-edge forensic science to detect naturally occurring trace elements and isotopes that are intrinsic properties of the fabric that can be verified back to its source. Cone Denim is excited to announce an extension of this world-leading partnership with Oritain.

Through the extended partnership, Cone Denim continues to assure its customers that denim produced by the company is authentic, true to source and in compliance with their cotton sourcing policies and allows Cone to confidently reaffirm its origin of ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency. Cone Denim customers have responded favourably to the partnership.

Steve Maggard, President of Cone Denim said, “At Cone Denim, we’ve always operated on trust. We value providing ourcustomers with traceability and documented transparency throughout the supply chain. Extending our partnership with Oritain allows us to continue our ongoing efforts to combine sustainable innovation with documentable, industry-leading traceability for cotton origin.”

Oritain works globally to protect supply chains from fraud. This partnership solidifies the use of Oritain’s forensic traceability throughout the entire fashion industry. To achieve the level of traceability that the denim industry is demanding for its consumers, Oritain’s unique method applies forensic science to detect trace elements and isotopes in the denim itself. Soil composition and other environmental factors give the denim an inherent ‘fingerprint’ unique to the location in which the cotton is sourced – called an Oritain Origin Fingerprint. This Origin Fingerprint cannot be tampered with, replicated, or destroyed and enables Cone Denim to verify the origin of the cotton used in their denim. Denim can be tested at any stage on its journey from farm to shop floor, giving buyers assurance that the product has not been substituted along the way.

Grant Cochrane, CEO of Oritain, said “Continued industry pressures have caused companies to make a commitment to more sustainable practices and provide full transparency of their supply chains. Cone Denim’s commitment to the Oritain program is leading the way in the denim industry and further demonstrates the world-leading mindset that Oritain endeavours to collaborate with.”