The tags of Applied DNA Sciences (APDN) can be used to authenticate denim products, even when subjected to harsh processing. The tags added to the denim material prior to stone and bleach washings used in the production of finished garments are still detectable afterwards. They remain intact and are suitable for high quality forensic scale analysis after processing.

Denim undergoes the harshest treatment among apparel products. APDN provides its tags to companies in the textiles industry. This technology enables brands and manufacturers to track their fibers from the farm through to the finished product, allowing for a more transparent supply chain.

Traceability can also help verify certain sustainability claims about commodities and products, helping ensure good practices and respect for people and the environment in supply chains. In future, Applied DNA Sciences will tag cotton intended for denim use, as well as other premium fibers such as wool, cashmere, manmade fibers like viscose, nylon, and recycled polyester, and bio-based fibers. The company has a defined goal of having 3,00,000,000 sq. ft. of DNA-tagged leather under contract over the next five years.

There has been a lack of commercially available test methods to determine where denim fibers are grown, and this is a concern to manufacturers, as global counterfeiting continues to escalate.