Unifi and polyester filament yarn manufacturers across North and Central America have launched YarnProof™, a traceability initiative designed to provide physical evidence of yarn origin throughout the textile supply chain.
Powered by FibreTrace® technology, the system introduces an invisible, permanent tracer into polyester filament yarn during extrusion. According to the announcement, the tracer can be detected in yarn, fabric and finished goods using a proprietary handheld scanner.
Physical Traceability to Support Regional Trade Compliance
YarnProof is intended to support verification of origin claims under the yarn-forward requirements of the CAFTA-DR and USMCA trade agreements. It works alongside existing documentation and certification systems, adding physical evidence to the records used to substantiate regional sourcing.
The participating manufacturers say the initiative addresses growing scrutiny of supply chain claims and exposure to non-compliant trade. Its purpose is to help brands, retailers and manufacturers verify sourcing history while protecting compliant regional production.
Nick Pence, Senior Director of Material Supply at Under Armour, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the value of physical evidence in supporting sourcing transparency and reliability.
Kim Glas, President and CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations, said YarnProof adds a tool for substantiating origin claims alongside established methods such as document reviews and site visits.
Read More: New Measurement Methods For Soundproofing Textiles
Manufacturers Unite Behind YarnProof
The initiative brings together Aquafil O’Mara, CS America, CS Central America, Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Premiere Fibers, Sans Americas, Skytex México, Tecnología Textil Avanzada, Textufil, Unifi Manufacturing and United Textiles of America.
By adopting a shared verification approach, the producers aim to strengthen confidence in North and Central American sourcing programmes and reduce reputational risks associated with unsupported origin claims.
Allen Jacoby, President of Technical Textiles at Milliken & Company, also emphasised the role of physical origin verification in improving transparency and supporting consistent enforcement of trade requirements.
YarnProof’s stated objective is to connect material origin claims with detectable evidence across successive stages of production, giving supply chain partners an additional means of checking the provenance of polyester filament yarn.
