Textile and Apparel Supply Chain with Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

Abstract

In order to help track and disclose environmental performance across the textile and apparel supply chain, DLT is proposed as an ideal tool for information storage and communication in a highly transparent network. Every participant in the network can get access to the information for supply chain process, and eventually build a high level of trust on suppliers' environmental governance. This paper aims to bring out the potential of DLT technology on the textile and apparel supply chain. We discuss how to utilize the unique characteristics of DLT for achieving low carbon emissions during textile and apparel manufacturing through better supply chain transparency. In details, an overview of DLT technology is provided in this paper by showing the design, business implications and opportunities in the textile and apparel supply chain. In addition, a case study is illustrated on DLT technology in the textile and apparel supply chain transparency for World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)'s Low Carbon Manufacturing Programme (LCMP).