We believe science should learn from nature—that a product is timeless when it’s renewable, and that a single fiber can make a world of difference. We know that we never have to sacrifice performance to be sustainable, or the other way around. To us, finding ways to leave a smaller footprint just comes naturally, so we do it every step of the way.
Ever since the early 1900s, DuPont has been revolutionizing the world of fiber and polymers. From the first plastic-coated fabrics developed in the 1910s to groundbreaking fibers like the versatile nylon, neoprene rubber fabric, bullet-resistant KEVLAR®, and even Tyvek®, DuPont has spent over a century creating textile products that transform the way we live and work. And as a product that’s on the forefront of the shift from oil-based materials to bio-based ones, Sorona® fits perfectly into a legacy of meaningful, performance-based innovation — one that we have to continue to sustain our world.
When we spot a hint of greatness, we give it a second look. We explore untapped possibilities and find a way to make it something truly special. This is how, after decades of research and asking the right questions, scientists discovered a way to produce PDO—a building block with endlessly versatile potential—using a biological process that would have a global impact:
The process begins by harvesting crops.
Sugar, or glucose, is extracted from the crops.
Microorganisms are added to the glucose to begin a fermentation process (similar to the production of alcohol).
Fermentation replaces chemical synthesis, producing PDO (1,3-Propanediol) in a natural way.
TPA (terephthalic acid) is added to the Bio-PDO, creating a molecular bond.
The result is Sorona®: a revolutionary, high-performance polymer whose positive impact is felt by yarn spinners, manufacturers, designers, and consumers across the globe.
Because Sorona® polymer is partially plant based, it reduces reliance on fossil-based materials. The revolutionary Bio-PDO compound turns a formerly chemical process into an eco-efficient biological one.
