The innovation in a nutshell
Facilitating sorting and recycling of clothes using a digital thread.
More in detail
The thread looks and feels much like a normal thread, but through RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, it can store digital information and be scanned from a distance. Lasting over the garment’s lifetime, the thread reduces waste throughout the entire supply chain and drives the transition to a circular system in which materials can be perpetually recycled.
In addition to facilitating recycling of clothes, the content thread can also be valuable for supply chain management, anti-theft and for creating “smart” connected clothing.
Since winning the award
The team quickly moved beyond proof of concept to a commercialised strategy and went from only producing sample threads to making millions of tags in 2018.
However, as the innovation took off, they realised changes in the setup were needed. It resulted in two companies – EON headed by Natasha Franck and Adetexs by Anura Rathnayake.
Adetexs runs the production and development of the RFID thread, and EON is the exclusive global sales partner. EON is currently leveraging the thread in several pilots with large global brands.
Natasha launched Connect Fashion under the EON umbrella. It’s a global initiative to establish an open standard for a shared digital system, where products can be identified and managed throughout its lifecycle. “This is an incredibly exciting step for the industry and for our team – collaborating with some of the largest brands, retailers, re-commerce, recycling partners and technology partners – to create the digital foundation for operationalizing circular economy,” says Natasha.
“Applying to Global Change Award changed my work and my life. I would never have been able to build this company without it.”
Natasha Franck
EON
Team member: Natasha Franck
Country: USA
Website: eongroup.co
Adetexs
Team member: Anura Rathnayake
Country: United Kingdom
Website: adetexs.com
EON
Adetexs
