DuPont Industrial Biosciences announced a collaboration with Chinese sports brand Anta in the design of champion uniforms for Chinese Olympic team members using DuPont™ Sorona® – a sustainable, patented fiber made with renewable, plant-based ingredients. Sorona® – which leverages innovation and sustainability to produce fibers that are uniquely soft, extremely durable and have excellent stretch and recovery – will be a key ingredient in the Chinese team’s “Dragon Uniform” at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Since 2009, Anta Sports has been an official partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee, collaborating with the Chinese sports delegations at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, London 2012 Olympic Games and more than 30 other international competitions. Anta provides a full set of medal award stand apparel to showcase the spirit and style of Chinese Olympic athletes.
“By incorporating DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced fibers in the Olympic champion uniform for the Chinese delegation, we hope to incorporate the concepts of health, environment and public welfare into our champion uniforms, so that the ‘Dragon Uniform’ is more meaningful,” said James Zheng, president of Anta.
Anta is dedicated to the application of sports science and innovation in the development of high-performance, comfortable sports apparel. Anta’s and DuPont’s shared values of innovation and sustainability are a strong connection between the two companies. As a result, the Chinese sports brand selected DuPont™ Sorona® as its raw material partner four years ago.
“Sustainability is not just a concept; it also can bring real value to consumers by the brands that adopt sustainably sourced materials,” said Dennis Tsai, DuPont™ Sorona® Asia-Pacific regional director. “Sorona® brings unique performance innovations and properties to fabric mills and brand houses in a way that is on-trend and meets market needs.”
DuPont has a rich and deep history in the textile market. As an industry leader, DuPont’s inventions include fibers such as nylon, Lycra®, Kevlar® and rayon (the world's first man-made fiber). More recently, in addition to Sorona®, DuPont’s biomaterials group has focused its innovations on creating high-performing, sustainably sourced materials that become ingredients in products consumers use every day.
“Innovation comes from the material” has become a consensus for many brands, including Anta. Through close collaboration with Anta, DuPont developed a series of sports apparel applications successfully launched into the mainstream Chinese consumer market.
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As one of the leading branded sportswear enterprises in China, ANTA Sports Products Limited primarily designs, develops, manufactures and markets sportswear, including sports footwear, apparel and accessories. The group has established an extensive distribution network and nationwide retail outlets throughout China under the management of the distributors. The group places great emphasis on branding by integrating the resources from sponsorship of sports leagues, placement of advertisements, online interaction with consumers and endorsement of elite athletes with featured products in order to enhance product differentiation. For the past eight years, ANTA’s footwear has been enjoying a leading position in the composite index on market shares in China.
DuPont™ Sorona® polymer contains 37 percent annually renewable plant-based ingredients by weight. It is used primarily in high-performance fiber applications, including textiles for apparel and home, office and automotive interiors, residential and commercial carpeting and automotive mats.
DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published Aug 3, 2016 11am EDT / 8am PDT / 4pm BST / 5pm CEST