Farm to store: Applied DNA Sciences successfully tags leather

13/11/2019
Applied DNA Sciences said it has carried out the DNA tagging of leather at one of the world’s largest tanneries based in Asia. This follows a successful UK-based research project that demonstrated the company's SigNature DNA could trace the hide of an animal from a farm to the product in a store.  

Following the research project, Applied DNA UK conducted further work in commercial tanneries to identify practical ways to use its technology in the leather supply chain. The company now believes it has identified the most efficient and cost-effective methods to apply DNA at specific points in the leather-tanning process map.

According to Applied DNA, the work recently carried out in Asia was focused on tagging both suede and numerous polyurethane leather finishes in a variety of different colours.

“The results are validation of previous work we carried out and we now look forward to the opportunity to apply our technology for the leather industry to help provide much needed traceability for the various stakeholders,” said Dr. James Hayward, president and CEO of Applied DNA. “We are pleased by the interest shown across the leather industry in offering to leather supply chains.”