DuPont Sorona, INVISTA’s CORDURA brand, and DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products gave workwear brands a sneak peek of new developmental fabrics in the next chapter of a series of more innovative, enhanced sustainable textile solutions for workwear and outdoor wear at the A+A Show, Hall 9/E39, October 17-20, 2017, in Dusseldorf, Germany. Now, designers of apparel, footwear and gear will have even more options when looking for built-to-last durable fabrics that incorporate high performance materials across multiple layers.
INVISTA’s CORDURA brand and DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products have been collaborating throughout the year to create next-generation eco-efficient textile solutions. The series combines long-lasting abrasion resistance and bio-based Susterra propanediol coatings and membranes, inspiring consumers to embrace the CORDURA brand ethos that “Sustainability Begins With Products That Last.” At A+A, the brands unveiled an innovative new softshell fabric development integrating DuPont Sorona bio-based, high-performance fiber technology.
“As the CORDURA brand celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017, it’s been the perfect time to reflect on five decades of cutting-edge durable fabric technology and collaborate with some very special partners,” said Cindy McNaull, CORDURA brand and global marketing director. “Working with the talented teams at DuPont Industrial Biosciences and DuPont Tate & Lyle to help define the durable, eco-efficient solutions of tomorrow with our latest CORDURA + Susterra + Sorona soft shell technology has been an amazing opportunity to bring together the rich heritage we all share and is certainly one of the highlights of our 50 x 50 ‘heritage meets innovation’ anniversary journey.”
“After decades of research and asking the right questions, DuPont scientists discovered a way to produce bio-based 1,3 propanediol – a building block with endlessly versatile potential,” explains Laurie Kronenberg, global marketing director, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products. “It is this building block that was created using modern biotechnology that powers both the Sorona and Susterra brand solutions and enables high-performance, renewable, plant-based fibers, coatings and membranes.”
“Together, we are creating a legacy of innovative, eco-efficient textile solutions. DuPont Sorona fibers will be an excellent addition to the CORDURA + Susterra’ collaboration,” states Renee Henze, global marketing director, DuPont Industrial Biosciences. “Sorona fibers define softness, with exceptional resilience and is built on the same bio-based science as Susterra propanediol making it a natural extension.”
To help make this idea a reality, the brands engaged authorized apparel fabric mill, Everest, to develop this durable bio-based CORDURA fabric soft-shell solution. Everest’s soft-shell laminate features a durable CORDURA Naturalle fabric on the outer face, a middle layer polyurethane bio-based membrane containing more than 25 percent renewable sourced materials by weight and a soft fleece backing. The integration of the lightweight Sorona fiber-based fleece helps provide cozy warmth and soft hand feel for day-in, day-out comfort. The result is a fabric engineered to help keep you comfortable through all of life’s durable adventures with eco-efficiency in mind.
