DuPont Biomaterials leveraged its footprint at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 in Denver, CO, last month, to highlight its DuPont Sorona fibre stretch applications. From presenting to industry peers to an eye-catching acrobatic performance, the Sorona brand team highlighted how garments today no longer need spandex for athletic movement. Sorona fibres make a replacement for spandex (or elastane), achieving long-lasting, mechanical stretch and recovery with a better-for-the-planet profile.

The brand demonstrated these capabilities first-hand through an on-the-ground activation, which featured two professional acrobats performing outside the Denver Convention Center and at the DuPont Sorona exhibit booth. The performers sported spandex-free active wear, including Australian brand Think Love Live’s ethical yoga tights.

“Here at Think Love Live we are at the cutting edge of fashion technology. Our Serotonin shorts and Endorphin tights/leggings are made from 70% lyocell and 30% Sorona fibres for optimal comfort and stretch. We love the fact that Sorona fibres are bio-based, use lower dying temperatures and best of all are recyclable unlike bamboo or rayon,” said Anna Crommelin, founder of Think Love Live. “Our Australian-designed yoga wear is inspired by our Gold Coast beaches, rainforests and the science that has gone into fabrics we use.”

Better for the planet

DuPont Biomaterials also leveraged its platform at Outdoor Retailer to speak to industry peers during a workshop about Sorona fibres for spandex replacement, highlighting how its fibre offering can be used as stand-alone elastane alternatives – ones that do not breakdown over time with heat, washing, UV rays, or chlorine exposure and are recyclable in any normal polyester recycling stream. With mechanical stretch and recyclability at its core, the Sorona brand is offering innovative solutions to this industrywide challenge.

“Whether incorporated into yoga tights or a luxury gown, Sorona fibre’s versatility and mechanical, long-lasting stretch makes it an excellent replacement for spandex and we were thrilled to put these capabilities on display at Outdoor Retailer,” said Renee Henze, Global Marketing Director for DuPont Biomaterials. “Not only is the Sorona brand better performing than elastane – it’s better for the planet too.”

New fabrics

During the Outdoor Retailer show, DuPont Sorona also debuted new knit fabrics from Epyllion Fabrics Limited, a denim fabric collection from Bhaskar and woven fabrics from Arvind. These fabrics utilise textured yarns to provide the fabrics optimal stretch performance. These fibres are 37% bio-based and can be used in a variety of applications, including seamless knitted t-shirts and other apparel, as well as knitted footwear.

www.sorona.com