It’s a different kind of nature’s candy. Fiber firms DuPont Biomaterials and Lenzing partnered to launch a new sustainable fabric collection centered on materials derived from nature, taking aim at creating resilient, stretchy fabrics that are buttery soft to the touch — and botanical.
DuPont’s Sorona brand is made from 37 percent renewable plant-based ingredients and offers a high-performing, responsibly sourced material option, the firm said, while Lenzing’s Tencel-branded fibers are derived from sustainably sourced natural raw material wood. Its new certified mill collection is a blend of DuPont’s Sorona polymer fibers with Tencel Lyocell and Tencel Modal fibers that designers can use across several applications, including activewear, ready-to-wear, intimate apparel and denim.
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The collection offers several stretch fabrics with optimal recovery and dimensional stability, the firms explained, offering a spandex-free option to eco-conscious designers, in addition to benefits such as color performance, moisture management and smoothness. And, Sorona polymer fibers enhance stretch capabilities without breaking down over time due to heat, UV rays or chlorine exposure, which ultimately extends the lifetime of the material or garment.
Renee Henze, global marketing director, DuPont Biomaterials, said, “The future of fibers belongs to the companies that are putting performance and sustainability at the forefront of everything they do. Our collaboration with Lenzing’s Tencel-branded fibers will allow more apparel brands the opportunity to weave sustainable comfort into their products and achieve the ultimate blend of comfort, eco-efficiency and performance. Together, DuPont and Lenzing address tomorrow’s challenges through renewably sourced fiber materials without compromising performance and value.”
And Andreas Guertler, head of global business development, active and outerwear, Lenzing AG, added, “As a specialty fiber business with a strong focus on innovation and quality, sustainability plays an integral role in what we do. With the introduction of the Tencel brand last year, we are moving beyond fiber types and characteristics and moving toward everyday use and benefits that brands and consumers value.
“By joining forces with another industry leader, we are enabling the acceleration of textile innovation through developing new environmentally responsible solutions. Both DuPont and Lenzing share a rich heritage, which is engrained in sustainability and innovative thinking,” Guertler said. “The combination of Sorona fibers with Tencel-branded fibers will enable us to introduce next-generation fabrics that combine natural comfort, color performance, versatility, smoothness, softness and moisture management, exceed consumer expectations and enable them to ‘feel so right.’”
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