The basic raw element for the production of silk fabrics is raw silk yarn mainly coming from China.

The quality features of that yarn are measured with Chinese methods, that is to say that the yarn faults are evaluated on black boards (seriplane).

This method is completely subjective and couldn’t be repeated on the same yarn sample.
The classification of raw silk, following the Chinese method is nowadays based on the results of these tests.

A silk classification certificate issued by the certified Chinese Quality Control Centres (CIQ) is now compulsory to export each raw silk lot.

Due to subjectivity and changeability of the traditional control method, the Chinese classification certificate doesn’t often represent the effective quality of the exported silk lot and therefore both the Italian and European customers, throwsters or weavers, often have problems both in using these lots or obtaining high quality textile.

Chinese people have been studying for a few years a new method to measure the main quality features of raw silk based on the combined usage of electronic capacitive and optical sensors.

The Centro Tessile Serico decided to partner with the Chinese to study a new electronic measurement and classification system of raw silk.