Two of the fiber industry’s top purveyors and innovators of natural and sustainable materials–Lenzing and Dupont–have introduced new collaborative collections focused on performance characteristics.
Tree Climate Fabric Collection by Tencel
Lenzing, a global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, on Wednesday launched the Tree Climate Fabric Collection by Tencel, curated by outdoor fabric innovators David Parkes and Marco Weichert, at Performance Days in Munich.
The new Tree Climate outdoor fabric collection features the wide range and versatility of Tencel-branded lyocell fibers, with a variety of base, mid and outer layer fabrics, each offering a range of inherent performance qualities, as well as waddings made of wood-based Tencel lyocell fibers for outdoor applications.
The three-fold collection allows the creation of synthetic-free and enhanced synthetic content layering solutions for different weather conditions. The environmental impact of the fibers is among the lowest of all materials according to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index, an industry-wide tool that measures and communicates the environmental impact of materials used for apparel, Lenzing said.
In addition to sustainability benefits, the collection demonstrates the versatility of Tencel lyocell fibers in functional outdoor applications. These include wind and water resistance, optimum breathability and thermal regulation. The fibers, which are gentle on skin, also blend well with natural fibers such as wool and hemp, the company noted.
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“We are delighted to launch our new Tree Climate fabric collection and showcase at Performance Days, the industry leading functional fabric fair in Munich today,” said Andreas Gürtler, senior manager of global business development for active sportswear at Lenzing. “We are extremely proud of what we have created with the help of renowned curators David and Marco. The fibers, which have high-performance attributes and super soft feel, are also biodegradable. Coupled with carbon-zero fibers, this fabric collection is poised to bring a wave of positive change to the outdoor apparel and the environment.”
Parkes, founder and CEO of Concept III, said performance apparel defines itself through innovative and practical textiles, and the consumer has recognized this for several decades.
“It is a leader in textile development and has assumed that role with accountability in textile sustainability and environmental awareness,” he said. “I have been inspired by the sustainability of this generation of Tencel fibers, their attractive aesthetics and impressive thermal and comfort characteristics.”
DuPont Biomaterials x JP Modatex India
Meanwhile, Dupont Biomaterials and JP Modatex India are introducing a new spun yarn collection made with a blend of natural fibers and DuPont Sorona staple fibers.
The collection brings together linen and partially plant-based Sorona fibers to create spun yarns for use in a variety of applications, including dresses, shirting, pants, skirts, denim and jackets. The resulting fabric imparts comfort stretch, moisture management and a luxurious drape and hand feel, the companies said. The new concept also fills a need for stretch linen without spandex.
“Sorona stretch staple fibers are used in blends with cotton, viscose and wool,” said Dr. Gowri Nagarajan, regional sales and marketing manager, Dupont Biomaterials. “The JP Modatex leadership wants to take a different approach with Sorona and respond to the needs of existing linen customers, delivering comfort stretch to the linen space. Stretch and linen have not been a concept previously attempted since spandex and linen cannot co-exist. This is a very exciting opportunity for us and with this breakthrough yarn, JP Modatex is a pioneer in the realm of stretch linen fabrics.”
JP Modatex is the manufacturer of premium and specialty ring spun yarns for apparel and home textiles. Recent successful yarn innovations and developments for JP Modatex include blends with Sorona and linen, Sorona and lyocell, dry spun linen and hemp-cotton blends.
“Comfort stretch is a growing trend in the apparel segment,” said Jeff Zhou, global apparel segment leader, Dupont Biomaterials. “While other fibers are often blended with Sorona fibers, the JP Modatex team is taking on the challenge to blend with fibers like linen that are not easy to work with and create a unique space for themselves. Working closely with their strategic mill partners, the JP Modatex team is able to deliver this innovative solution to both shirting and trouser applications. This initial success should give them the confidence to continue their innovation journey to take Sorona fibers into newer applications.”
Dupont’s Sorona brand, made from 37 percent renewable plant-based ingredients, offers a high-performing, responsibly sourced material option. Fibers made with Sorona polymer are used in various apparel applications, including athleisure and athletic wear, insulation, swimwear, outerwear, suiting and faux fur, which “Project Runway” showcased on its most recent season.
“We took a very careful decision when we wanted to start using Sorona fibers in combination with fibers like lyocell and linen, as there was a need in these segments where comfort stretch was missing due to the fact that it was either impossible to bring spandex into the mix due to nightmares that one has to encounter when processing such fabrics in combination with spandex,” added Jindas Jain, CEO of JP Modatex. “For these reasons, a blend with Sorona is appealing as it brings additional value to the end fabric in comfort stretch and recovery, moisture management and excellent handfeel and drape.”
Sorona polymer offers technical and performance benefits, including softness, stretch and recovery, and inherent stain resistance without the need for topical treatments. Sorona is a USDA Certified Biobased Product and is certified as an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 product.