SORONA is a biobased polymer material. Its core raw material comes from plants that can grow repeatedly each year (such as industrial corn). Through a plant fermentation process, 1,3-propanediol (PDO) is extracted, and then it reacts with terephthalic acid to form PTT polymer. This technical route provides a new raw material source for synthetic fibers.
In terms of fiber properties, the molecular structure of SORONA takes on a spring-like shape, which endows the fabric with excellent elasticity recovery capability. After being stretched, the fabric can rebound and maintain its original shape, while also having good dimensional stability. After daily wear and multiple washes, the clothing is less likely to show sagging or deformation.
The feel and comfort are another feature of SORONA. The fibers made from this material have a soft feel, and when blended with natural fibers, they can enhance the skin-friendliness of the fabric. During the dyeing process, SORONA can be dyed under normal pressure boiling conditions, which simplifies the processing compared to the need for high-temperature and high-pressure dyeing of polyester. This is somewhat adaptable to small-batch, multi-variety production modes.
In terms of functional applications, the sub-brand system of SORONA caters to the needs of various scenarios. The Agile series emphasizes elastic conformability and can be used as an alternative to spandex; the Aura series is used for thermal insulation fillings, featuring breathability and lightness; the Luxe series focuses on natural texture and softness; the Profile series highlights anti-wrinkle and easy-care properties; the Revive series is used in sports scenarios, emphasizing elastic recovery. These series are applied to categories such as sportswear, coats, workwear, jeans, artificial fur, and more.
From the perspective of environmental protection data, the plant-based components of SORONA account for 37%. According to the lifecycle assessment results from a third-party audit, compared to nylon 6, the energy consumption during the production process of SORONA has decreased by 44%, and greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by approximately 50% to 59%. At the same time, the consumption of petroleum resources in its production process has also decreased. It should be noted that these data reflect the results of continuous process improvement in the production method, and do not rank the materials in terms of superiority or inferiority.
Changzhou Lingda Special Fiber Co., Ltd. (Jiangsu Lingda Chemical Group Co., Ltd.) is located on the beautiful shore of Taihu Lake - in the picturesque Jiangnan water town of Zhaiqiao. It enjoys excellent transportation conditions by land, water and air. The company covers an area of over 300 acres and has a building area of 55,000 square meters. The company possesses international advanced spinning equipment, complete sets of post-processing equipment for carpet yarn twisting and heat setting, and has successively introduced Swiss Lingda, German Nurmag spinning machines, German Falkmann twisting machines, German Sussen and French Supabuo heat setting machines. Currently, it has an annual production capacity of 35,000 tons, capable of providing customers with a series of expanded and deformed yarns of polypropylene, nylon, polyester and Sorona. It can quickly and flexibly provide customized colors for customers. Currently, it has provided customers with as many as 10,000 different color yarns, and its products have been exported to more than 20 countries and regions around the world. Lingda adheres to the spirit of keeping pace with the times and being bold in exploration. In 2011, it jointly developed an environmentally friendly carpet yarn - DuPont Sorona (Soroana) with DuPont, and has become the sole national producer of Sorona environmentally friendly carpet yarns.
