Sorona

Sorona is DuPont's brand of triexta (polytrimethylene terephthalate).[1] It was named and commercialized in 2000.[2] The fibers are claimed to be both soft and extremely stain resistant, while exhibiting high strength and stiffness[3]

Sorona is a co-polymer of 1,3-propanediol (obtained by fermentation) and petroleum-derived terephthalic acid (TPA) or dimethyl terephthalate (DMT).[3] Related polymers in this series include polyethylene terephthalate (2GT) and polybutylene terephthalate (polytetramethylene terephthalate) (4GT).[4]

The polymer Sorona has been mentioned by J. Craig Venter in interviews[5] as an example of an application of industrial biotechnology. He was quoted as saying, "DuPont argues that SORONA is going to be the first billion-dollar biotech product other than a pharmaceutical." The renewable resource content of SORONA is 37% by weight.[3] DuPont won a 2003 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for their development of the fermentation process for production of 1,3-propanediol from corn-derived glucose in recombinant Escherichia coli K-12.[6]

DuPont's CEO (Ellen J. Kullman) has worn a pinstripe suit made of Sorona fibers[7]

Uses and Applications

Sorona has been used in the manufacture of clothing, residential carpets, and automotive fabrics and plastic parts.[8] Mohawk Industries is currently the exclusive carpet manufacturer currently making carpets using Dupont Sorona fiber.[9][10]

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-27700019_ITM DuPont SORONA(TM) Selected As Brand Name For 3GT Polymer
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 DuPont Automotive News - Fact Sheet – DuPont Engineering Polymers Previews Plans to Produce a New Family of High-Performance Polymers Made with Renewable Resources
  4. ↑ http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/104059259
  5. ↑ Decoding the DNA decoder - Cosmic Log - msnbc.com
  6. ↑ Manahan, S.E. Environmental Chemistry, CRC Press, 2005, p. 503.
  7. ↑ Delawareonline ¦ The News Journal, Wilmington, Del. ¦ DuPont plans to cut $1 billion in costs
  8. ↑ http://www2.dupont.com/Sorona/en_US/uses_apps/uses_apps_home.html
  9. ↑ http://renewable.dupont.com
  10. ↑ http://www.mohawkflooring.com/flooring-products/carpet/smartstrand.aspx

9.http://www.springerlink.com/content/nu63888203727v67/ 10. http://www.springerlink.com/content/h737027378h00748/ 11. http://www.renewable.dupont.com 12. http://www.dupont.com/sorona 13. http://www.burchamintl.com/papers/petpapers/45_gpec05.pdf 14. http://www.completflooringaz.com/Carpet_Tucson.html