Chain-of-custody challenges: A teaching case of going digital at Emaclo Apparel

This teaching case explores a collaborative pilot project between Emaclo Apparel Holdings, a leading apparel manufacturer, and LuminaTrace, an Asia-Pacific company pioneering chain-of-custody solutions in supply chain management. The project embedded traceable digital pigments into raw materials, serving as traceable markers throughout the supply chain journey, readable via a mobile app. The teaching case demonstrates: (i) the importance of chain-of-custody in apparel supply chains, (ii) technological integration to strengthen traceability, (iii) enhanced visibility and risk management, and (iv) technology’s transformative role in sustainability. Accompanied by teaching notes, the case is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students in information systems and supply chain management, offering insights into chain-of-custody and traceability challenges, technological interventions, and their impact on transparency and sustainability in the apparel supply chain.