How KnowledgeCotton Apparel Streamlined Supplier Collaboration from Raw Material to Retail with Retraced
Founded in 2008, KnowledgeCotton Apparel has been a pioneer in certified sustainable fashion. Inspired by the organic fiber work of the founder’s father, the brand set out to prove that sustainability and style can go hand in hand without compromise. Based in Denmark, the company has grown into a globally recognized name, offering Scandinavian design with full product certification and radical transparency at its core.
100%
of supply chains mapped down to raw material
50%
less time spent on documentation and data requests
100%
of certificates stored and monitored in one place
100%
of garments equipped with QR codes (on product & webshop)
Moving Beyond Spreadsheets
As the business grew, keeping track of suppliers, certifications, and data requests became more difficult. “We had the information — it just wasn’t accessible,” says COO Anders Langhoff-Jensen. “If a buyer asked for a specific audit or certificate, we had to dig through folders or Excel files.”
It was time-consuming, and it made it hard to respond quickly to partners or customers. “We needed a better way to manage and present the work we were already doing,” adds Mads Mariboe, Buying Assistant at KnowledgeCotton Apparel.
Why Retraced Was the Right Fit
KnowledgeCotton had been in touch with Retraced since the early days. “We liked the approach and kept the conversation open. When the platform matured, it felt like the right time,” says Langhoff-Jensen.
Other platforms existed, but few focused as clearly on supply chain data and supplier collaboration.
“Retraced was built around how we actually work: mapping products, collecting certificates, sharing data with partners. And their support team made it easy to get started.”
Another key factor was Retraced’s ability to integrate with other platforms via its API, making it easier to connect supply chain data across systems.
From Fragmented Data to One System
Implementation began country by country, starting with Tier 1 suppliers and working down to raw material level. “We’ve now mapped every supply chain. Not just Tier 1 and 2, but all the way to the source,” says Mariboe. “It was a challenge at first, especially in regions like China. But the Retraced team supported us closely. Their Mandarin-speaking staff helped us onboard even the more cautious suppliers.”
Today, Retraced serves as KnowledgeCotton’s centralized system for:
- Supply chain mapping at product level
- Certification and audit management
- Running supplier risk analysis
- Sustainability data tracking
Giving Customers a Clearer View
Since early 2024, every KnowledgeCotton garment includes a Digital Product Passport (DPP) via QR code linking to its full production journey.
“We added the QR code from Retraced to our care labels and hangtags. Now sales teams and customers can see all the production steps without needing to ask or wait. It’s very helpful in retail settings. When a customer asks where something was made, the answer is a scan away. It can reveal the 15 steps behind a single T-shirt.”
The DPPs are also live in the webshop, giving online customers the same level of insight into sourcing and production.
Improved Supplier Collaboration
Working with Retraced has also made it easier to onboard and collaborate with suppliers. “For new partners, it’s clear from day one what kind of data we expect — and why,” says Langhoff-Jensen. “Retraced makes that conversation simpler.”
Over time, many suppliers have adopted the platform as a practical tool for their own documentation. “A few even use it to track their audit deadlines and certificates,” says Mariboe. “That kind of shared infrastructure helps both sides work more efficiently.”
Next Step: Connecting More Data
KnowledgeCotton is now looking to connect more systems. “We’re working with Carbonfact to link emissions data to the same product-level QR code,” says Langhoff-Jensen. “Ideally, everything a customer or partner needs to know is available through one label.”
Photo credit: ©KnowledgeCotton Apparel
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