Dupont Sorona insulation
The Dupont Sorona insulation has been used as a filler in mountain clothing in order to keep you cool and dry while you're on the move, and warm and comfortable on colder days. Below, you can learn more about this fabric, its characteristics and the manufacturing process.
What is Dupont Sorona fibre?
Sorona is a high-performance synthetic fibre. manufactured by the Dupont company in 2000. Its intention was to innovate by replacing elastane by using plant-based ingredients that must be renewed every year.
Its current use is mainly in fibre applications such as apparel and interior textiles for home, office and automotive applications, residential and commercial carpets and automotive floor mats.
Characteristics of Dupont Sorona insulation
The main characteristics of Dupont Sorona insulation are highlighted below:
- Dupont Sorona insulation features durable, all-weather fit and warmth in a variety of garments, from jackets and trousers to gloves and hats.
- The fibre is highly breathable and retains heat with less filling and weight, resulting in a more comfortable product.
- The insulation is partly based on plants, so it has less impact on the environment.
- In addition, it is endorsed by the Sorona Common Thread Fabrics Certification Programme. This guarantees the origin and high performance standards of this sustainably sourced insulation.
- It maintains its appearance after every wash, allowing you to look good and stay warm day after day.
- Sorona polymer makes it possible for them to present a more environmentally friendly product without affecting performance or increasing production costs.
- Sorona fabrics are tested for content and performance through Dupont's Common Thread certification programme.
Sorona fibre manufacturing process
The process for the manufacture of Dupont Sorona insulation is listed below:
- It starts with harvesting crops and then extracting sugar or glucose from them.
- Microorganisms are added to glucose in order to start a fermentation process similar to that of alcohol. Fermentation replaces chemical synthesis, producing Propanediol (PDO) naturally.
- Terephthalic acid (TPA) is incorporated into the Bio-PDO, giving rise to a molecular bond.
- The end result is the high-performance Sorona polymer.
Clothing performance with Dupont Sorona insulation
Elastane has too short a life cycle for clothing, but it is also very difficult to recycle, as it is often mixed with other materials. Sorona is a material that greatly improves the quality of clothing.
Sorona fibre is a comfortable elastic garment. and a woven material with soft, flexible and stain resistant properties that provides adequate elasticity and recovery. Even after repeated stretching and washing, it will always return to its original shape.
Is Dupont Sorona insulation environmentally friendly?
The final composition of Sorona indicates that, if 37% of matter is obtained through this fermentation process, traditional polyester represents 63% of fibre. Therefore, the end result is a mixture of natural and synthetic materials.
Although it is not a material that does not impact the environment, far from it. Sorona requires 30 % less non-renewable energy than nylon and reduces its greenhouse gas emissions by 63 % compared to the same material.
For these reasons, it is not possible to give a definitive reply to the Sorona's ecological impact. While it has many advantages and is a real alternative to synthetics, it does not entirely solve the problems posed by polyester with regard to ecology.
In fact, for Sorona to have a positive ecological impact when it contains 63 % polyester, it must be used to replace 100 % synthetic materials. If this insulation is used instead of natural materials, such as feathers in coats, the ecological impact is negative, but it must be considered that no animal products are used.
Recommended products with Dupont Sorona insulation
Some of the products incorporating the Dupont Sorona fibre insulation are described below:
Mountain jacket Campagnolo DuPont Sorona
It is a winter garment that allows you to enjoy outdoor activities. It features a reversible hooded design with pockets and a full front zip. The padding DuPont Sorona, is soft, compressible and uses natural materials. The Clima-Protect membrane offers adequate breathability and waterproofing for rain protection.
Dicte Extra Long Jacket
It is a functional winter jacket that can keep you warm even down to -10 degrees Celsius, repels water and resists wind. It features underarm vents for ventilation and has a lining with a water repellent lining. Sorona fibre from Dupont.
Tommy Hilfiger TH Protect Quilted Bomber Jacket
A casual jacket made with water-repellent technology and a premium thermal insulated design. Fully lined. It is 100 % polyester and DuPont Sorona filler.
Conclusion
You have noticed that there is now a wide variety of mountain clothing available from different brands that have incorporated the Dupont Sorona insulation in its construction as protection against cold and wind.
