The start-up creates unique genetic codes for each raw material, enabling the gapless information about the product’s entire value chain. This way, effective product tracking will help to ensure that materials are sourced responsibly, and workers' and consumers' safety is protected. With this approach, DNACotton not only promotes a circular economy but also discloses the support of fair labor practices and adaptation of humane working conditions in the textile industry. 

For these reasons, the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) has chosen DNACotton as one of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2024 finalists and presented it as ISC3 Start-up of the Month for November 2024.

The textile industry significantly impacts climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Gözde Bayer, R&D technical coordinator of the DNACotton located at Ankara University Technopolis, also recognized a pressing need for improved traceability and sustainability in the textile industry. In collaboration with İSKUR Textile Inc., Kahramanmaraş. her team embarked on the journey of developing a solution. The innovative project DNABarkod is underway to implement a robust traceability system using synthetic DNA nanoparticles and Quick Response (QR) codes. This technology enables a dual/simultaneous verification process to ensure product authenticity and traceability, significantly reducing counterfeiting while improving supply chain transparency. The synthesized DNA, free of GMOs and safe for human health, will be embedded in textiles, creating unique identifiers for each product. Furthermore, the team developed a software solution combined with a cloud system, that connects the QR code on the product with the genetic code on the nanoparticle. During all stages of the production process, the code is scanned and saved in the databank. This way, gapless information about the whole lifecycle of a product is created.

The whole success story of the ISC3 Start-up of the Month in November 2024 is currently told by the ISC3 on its website at Start-up DNACotton (isc3.org).

Three questions for Gözde Bayer (R&D Manager of DNACotton):

What led to your solution in Sustainable Chemistry?

Gözde Bayer: The motivation behind founding DNACotton was deeply rooted in the challenges facing the textile industry, such as sourcing raw materials, managing production processes, and ensuring transparency along the entire supply chain. Through our research, we uncovered that existing traceability systems were often susceptible to manipulation, which undermined their reliability. Our solution, which integrates DNA nanoparticle technology with QR codes, promises a robust, tamper-proof method that guarantees the provenance and authenticity of textiles as they progress through the supply chain.

What does being chosen as ISC3 Start-up of the Month mean to you?

G. Bayer: Being recognized as the ISC3 Start-up of the Month validates our efforts and highlights the importance of sustainable practices in the textile industry. It motivates us to continue our mission and strive for greater achievements!

What’s next up at DNACotton?

G. Bayer: Our current focus is on scaling our operations, which includes demonstrating the effectiveness of our technology in a denim recycling chain aimed at reducing textile waste significantly. We're excited about our potential impact, as studies indicate that our DNA-based tracking system can save 25-50% in costs associated with production and product verification, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. In our future outlook, we aim to revitalize the industrial area affected by the earthquake through our initiatives. We believe that by implementing our technology, we can contribute significantly to the recovery and growth of the region.