Soft knitted blends of Tencel Modal fibres and Sorona fibres create a blend of long-lasting softness. © DuPont/Lenzing

DuPont Biomaterials and Lenzing are launching a fabrics collection made predominantly of fibres derived from natural materials. The collaboration blends DuPont Sorona fibres and Tencel Lyocell and Tencel Modal fibres from Lenzing, to give soft garments greater resilience in stretch, recovery and dimensional stability.

The new certified mill-collection will expand the future of sustainable textiles for designers to use in various applications, including active wear, ready-to-wear, intimate apparel and denim.

With a rich history of textile innovation, DuPont has invented fibres such as nylon, Lycra, DuPont Kevlar and rayon. Its Sorona brand – made from 37% renewable plant-based ingredients – is designed to offer a high-performing, responsibly sourced material option.

Lenzing has 80 years of experience producing high-quality fibres with environmentally responsible and innovative technologies that help preserve the planet’s natural resources. Tencel, Lenzing’s textile specialty brand, is derived from sustainably sourced natural raw material wood. Tencel branded fibres are produced via an environmentally responsible production processes and are compostable and biodegradable.

Collection

“The future of fibres belongs to the companies that are putting performance and sustainability at the forefront of everything they do,” said Renee Henze, Global Marketing Director, DuPont Biomaterials. “Our collaboration with Lenzing’s Tencel branded fibres 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 fibre materials without compromising performance and value.”

The fibres create knitted fabrics that can keep the body pleasantly cool and dry. © DuPont/Lenzing

The blend of DuPont Sorona fibres and Tencel Lyocell and Tencel Modal fibres encompasses an entire range of constructions, colours and weights. There are many stretch fabrics in this collection offering designers spandex-free options.

Sorona polymer fibres are said to offer the perfect comfort stretch performance without breaking down overtime, due to heat, UV rays, or chlorine exposure meaning clothes continue to look, feel and perform great each time you wear them.

Applications

Offering vibrant, soft and breathable fabric material options, the first versatile collection will include various applications:

• Intimate apparel: soft knitted blends of Tencel Modal fibres and Sorona fibres create a blend of long-lasting luxurious softness and cosy comfort
• Active wear: Tencel Lyocell and Modal fibres together with Sorona fibres create knitted fabrics that can keep the body pleasantly cool and dry with their natural comfort and versatility
• Ready-to-wear: Tencel Lyocell and Modal fibres and Sorona fibres combine to form a comfortable woven collection that enable natural comfort, softness, smoothness, colour performance, moisture management, stretch, recovery and dimensional stability

Rich heritage

“As a specialty fibre 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 fibre 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,” commented Andreas Guertler, Head of Global Business Development – Active and Outerwear, Lenzing.

Fibres combine to form a woven collection that enable natural comfort, softness and dimensional stability catered for everyday use. © DuPont/Lenzing

“Both DuPont and Lenzing share a rich heritage which is engrained in sustainability and innovative thinking. The combination of Sorona fibres with Tencel branded fibres will enable us to introduce next-generation fabrics that combine natural comfort, colour performance, versatility, smoothness, softness and moisture management, exceed consumer expectation and enable them to feel so right.”

www.sorona.com

www.tencel.com