About Aware™
Aware™ is a global startup that develops Digital Product Passports (DPP) for the fashion and textile industry, making greenwashing a thing of the past and restoring consumers’ trust in sustainability claims. They connect the end-to-end supply chain and secure material and data transactions. They enable brands, suppliers and consumers to make better and more conscious decisions. Aware™ was founded in 2020 by two Dutch sustainability experts with 25+ and 10+ years of industry experience. Aware™’s mission is to minimize our collective impact by maximizing traceability.
Aware™ is an award winning global traceability solution for the fashion and textile industry. Their Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a world’s first game-changing phygital technology that revolutionizes the industry. Because at source a physical tracer is embedded into any type of raw material and each step is validated by each maker in the supply chain (primary data) which automatically ends up on a public blockchain. Leading to a virtual supply chain that follows the physical flow of materials forward, providing primary impact figures.
How do you know you are making the right choice when choosing a promotional gift? Can you really believe the recycled claims that are made about them? Transparency about traceability is key.
🔹 Nano tracer from Aware™
More than 500 soft goods from our lower impact gifts contain a physical nano-tracer from Aware™, added to the recycled raw material of the product.
🔹 Hi-tech protection
Only selected suppliers of verified recycled raw materials receive the nano tracer per batch of material. These batches are protected by block chain technology.
🔹 Verification
Verification of the presence of recycled material is possible with a scanner, detecting the Aware™ tracer in the finished end product.
By adding Aware™ physical tracer to the yarns, it’s always visible on the blockchain where mengdi bags is made and where it is made from.
In 2020, the Amsterdam-based company started developing the “Aware™️ Virtual ID” as their digital product passport is named. The platform is now live, after several pilots with launching partners. One of the first brands to use the technology is German sustainable brand Armed Angels. Besides clothing brands, Aware™ also works for players active in promotional products such as global supplier XD Connects (NL) Schijvens (NL) Sols (Fr) Gemline(US) and Kariban (FR).
Why traceability is key to change the textiles industry?
mengdi: It's very clear by now that in order to effect real change where the majority of impacts occur (in production), brands and suppliers must know how their products are made, where, by whom, and with what materials. Then and only then can improvements be made and the actual impacts of those improved practices and materials be measured and tracked. It's about clarity and knowledge in the system... truth and trust.
What is the vision of a more sustainable textiles industry in the future?
mengdi: An ecosystem model that relies on networked relationships built on partnership, trust, collaboration, innovation, and overall ecosystem health. All stakeholders participate and benefit in a more democratic way.
A physical tracer is embedded in the sustainable fiber that can be read by any manufacturing partner in the chain with a special Aware™ hand scanner. Suppliers share proprietary information on the new, public blockchain platform developed by Aware™️. The platform makes sure that all information is available in real time, without third-party intervention.
By doing so, brands can restore consumer trust and track their true environmental impact.