Opens new central testing laboratory in Ahmedabad
Applied DNA Sciences has announced the opening of a central DNA testing laboratory in Ahmedabad. The state-of-the-art facility provides full forensic authentication services to support Applied DNA’s growing global business in the Asia-Pacific region. It also provides the company with the capability to expand its CertainT platform to other supply chains in the region, such as synthetic textiles and pharmaceuticals.
The central laboratory is strategically located in Gujarat, an economic hub for the development and advancement of cotton and other textiles, fertilizers, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals.
“Opening a lab in Gujarat has both strategic and practical importance for Applied DNA,” said Dr. James A. Hayward, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company. “Our partnership with Himatsingka for cotton traceability has proven remarkably successful, with uptake in the commercial ecosystem and endorsement by big box retailers. Adoption of our technologies by other textile companies is growing. Working closely with India-based industry majors like Reliance Industries and GHCL, we are demonstrating Applied DNA’s value in enabling source-verified supplied chains and contributing the steady growth and ensured protection of the circular economy. It only makes sense for Applied DNA to have a facility where so many of our current and future partners are based.”
Highly qualified forensic scientists and individuals with expertise in DNA testing and the science work at the lab. These experts now have access to high end, state-of-the-art equipment which would normally be found in premier forensic and DNA testing labs, to enable them to prove and determine the authenticity of materials.
Said Ms. MeiLin Wan, Vice President – Textile Sales, Applied DNA: “An important reason why we chose India as the first location for our international laboratory expansion is because India has historically and strategically been one of the most important countries for textiles. Indian manufacturers recognize the need for ‘proof of origin’ through physical, forensic traceability that the changing world of textiles has necessitated. Additionally, India is a country where new technology and innovative ideas can be effectively and efficiently implemented.”
The company provides DNA-based molecular technologies that enable supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology, product genotyping and DNA mass production for diagnostics and therapeutics. The company makes life real and safe by providing innovative, molecular-based technology solutions and services that can help protect products, brands, entire supply chains, and intellectual property of companies, governments and consumers from theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion.
Applied DNA has experience working with top government agencies including the Department of Defense in the US. Ms. Wan explains that the experience working on defense projects led them to believe that, if the core DNA technology can survive in harsh military environments, it can survive textile processing, namely, in cotton and synthetics. She believes that the Indian market is particularly important because there are many companies here that are leading the world in textile production, development and research. Applied DNA Sciences also works in collaboration with industry groups like Cotton USA to help promote US cotton.
The company is also exploring collaborations with synthetic, wool, down and feather manufacturers, since the tagging and testing process are compatible with these materials. Cellulosic or man-made fiber materials are especially important to trace.
Applied DNA plans to conduct workshops or seminars in the near future to educate people about the CertainT platform and its relevance to sustainability, corporate responsibility programs and the circular economy. Through greater transparency CertainT can help textile industry suppliers, brands, retailers and manufacturers protect their products, and maintain a strong, authentic connection to the end-consumer.
Looking ahead
Access to forensic testing and technology and how it impacts our daily lives is already happening. Applied DNA’s vision for the next five years will be to collaborate with its business-to-business partners to bring CertainT verified products to end-users that they can trust. The potential scalability of molecular tagging and testing is already proven in cotton and, to some extent in synthetics. Over the next five years, more advancements will lead to faster testing, more portable systems and potentially more cost savings to all participants in the supply chain.
In sum, the company seeks to make the CertainT platform an integral part of the global ecosystems for diverse industries, and to make it the accepted standard for how things should be done, enabling brands and manufacturers to achieve the highest level of authenticity, quality and integrity.