DuPont is all set to commercialise biopolymer Sorona, a ‘green’ fabric containing 37 per cent of renewable plant-based ingredients into ethnic wear for men and women. While producing Sorona, which is already commercialised in shirting, suiting, denim, jackets, hosiery and swimwear by DuPont, it takes 30 per cent less energy and releases 63 per cent less green house gas emissions than nylon. On Thursday, DuPoint India officials said they are in talks with leading textile manufacturers in India to introduce Sorona in ethnic wear.
“Our new biosciences laboratory, DuPont knowledge centre in Hyderabad is specifically focussed on meeting the green aspirations of Indian consumers. We are trying to introduce Sorona ethnic wear very soon in India. The acceptability to green bio-based products is definitely on the rise,” said president, South Asia and ASEAN, DuPont, Balvinder Singh Kalsi.
Sorona is a bio-based product, which means it comprises materials that are renewable and does not have any synthetics or environmentally damaging substances. “We are already working on Sorona saris by collaborating with textile manufacturers in Surat and other places. The next logical step is to start making ethnic wear,” said Mr. Balvinder.
DuPont officials said they are also working with poultry companies on a green enzyme application that reduces environmental hazard caused by excretion of excess phosphorus by poultry. Dietary phosphorus is needed for rapid and efficient growth of livestock but poultry only can retain 30 per cent of it while the rest is excreted to the environment. Excess phosphorus pollutes soil quality, water and environment.
“We are working with poultry companies on this enzyme. Bio-based products are not the technology of future but they are the reality of today. We feel that consumers will realise their value even if they are expensive,” said regional business director, Asia Pacific, DuPont Industrial Biosciences, Vikram Prabhu.
