The network of certified mills is available to any apparel brand in need of samples and sourcing of fabrics scientifically tested to meet the performance and sustainability standards set by the Sorona® team. Sign up for access to the portal by visiting Sorona.com/customer-portal.
“The impacts of sustainability efforts are best at scale,” says DuPont Global Brand & Communications Leader Alexa Raab. “Through the recent COP26 Climate Change Summit we’ve seen how much work there is to do in all corners of the industry. We’re taking this step with the Preferred Mill Network and Common Thread Fabric Certification Program to further our commitment to transparency and ease of access to sustainable fabrics throughout the value chain.”
Since the debut of the Common Thread Fabric Certification Program, Sorona® has certified 350 fabric mills worldwide and shipped hangtags for more than 43.7 million garments. Among the certified fabrics, the most certified option is Sorona® Agile, the comfort stretch fabric used for spandex replacement in activewear and athleisure garments.
To qualify for certification, fabric mills must submit fabric swatches to the DuPont (or DuPont approved) lab for testing. Each sample is rigorously analyzed for a minimum content level of Sorona®, as well as for quality and performance characteristics.
Certified fabric types include:
Sorona® Agile—an alternative for any garment where spandex-free stretch is needed
Sorona® Aura—lightweight insulation fill with unparalleled softness, outstanding fill power, and a higher level of thermal insulation
Sorona® Luxe—natural fiber blends are enhanced with softness, dimensional stability, and reduced pilling
Sorona® Profile—a replacement for 100 percent nylon or PET fabrics that offer improved crease recovery and a rich, soft hand feel
Sorona® Revive—shape retention and dimensional stability without sagging and bagging
Made from 37 percent plant-based materials, Sorona® is a high-performance fiber that offers unparalleled softness, stretch recovery, crease recovery, and resistance to UV and chlorine damage. From harvesting to production, the process for making Sorona uses 30-40% less energy and releases 56-63% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the production of nylon. Fabrics made from Sorona® polymer can also be dyed and heat-set at much lower temperatures compared to polyester furthering the energy efficiency down the value chain.
“Fundamentally, making Bio-PDO is the same as the fermentation process for making beer,” says DuPont Biomaterials Product & Global Application Development Principle Investigator Samit Chevli. “The use of Bio-PDO to make Sorona® PTT polymer gives the polymersome unique properties. At a molecular level, the polymer has a zig-zag orientation which gives fibers produced from Sorona® polymer a spring-like property. This provides much better resiliency (bounce) and stretches than other types of polyesters.”
Sorona® is a key ingredient in clothing from some of the world’s most popular and most sustainable brands. To learn more about the Preferred Mill Network and Common Thread Fabric Certification Program, visit Sorona.com/certification.
About Sorona®
Sorona® is a revolutionary 37% bio-based polymer offering spinners, mills, and brands a high-quality, eco-efficient fiber that adds softness, durability, and stretches to fabrics without sacrificing performance. Sorona® is used in various apparel applications, including athleisure and athletic wear, insulation, swimwear, outerwear, suiting, faux fur, and home goods like carpet. DuPont developed Sorona® in the late 1990’s by leveraging the innovative bio-based monomer Bio-PDO™ as the basis for the polymer. Derived from nature and designed for performance, the biological process for creating Sorona® utilizes 30-40% less energy and releases 56-63% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than nylon 6 and nylon 6,6. Sorona® is a USDA Certified Biobased Product and carries the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Class 1 certification.
Designed for movement, touch, and everyday use, Sorona® makes fabrics look good, feel good, and do good. Find out more by visiting Sorona.com, Instagram (@Soronafiber), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About the Common Thread Fabric Certification Program
The Common Thread Fabric Certification program launched by Sorona® creates trust and transparency within the supply chain. Mills in the Preferred Mill Network are certified for carrying up to five different fabric types including Agile, Aura, Luxe, Profile, and Revive. Certified fabrics are made with a minimum percentage of Sorona® content and are scientifically tested for a range of performance characteristics including comfort stretch, warmth, breathability, softness, wrinkle resistance, UV and heat resistance, shape recovery, long-lasting durability, vibrant color retention, stain resistance, and more. Just one year after its introduction, over 350 mills and customers are enrolled in the program. Learn more by visiting Sorona.com/certification.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare, and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses, and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.
