Neu-Isenburg, March 2014. Textiles finished with DuPontTM Teflon® fabric protector have a distinctly better life cycle assessment over their entire service life than identical untreated fabrics. This is the result from a study currently being carried out by Systain Consulting, comparing CO2 emissions and water consumption over the fabric's service life extending from cotton growing via production processes to repeated laundering of the finished product.

 

Teflon® fabric protector is applied directly on the fibres and forms a molecular barrier around each fibre and provides durable soiling and moisture protection which cannot be washed off. Items of clothing produced with such fibres thus need to be washed less frequently and the water temperature during laundering can be lower too. The fabrics also dry up to 40% faster than their untreated counterparts. Consumption of water, detergents and electrical energy can thus be considerably lower.

Specifically, Systain is comparing medium sized men's jeans made from untreated and treated denim. In comparison with conventional jeans which are used for three years and washed on average every three weeks, jeans finished with Teflon ® fabric protector allow water consumption to be cut by 25% and CO2 emissions by 22% thanks to a longer possible service life and a greater interval between washes. Extrapolated to all adult men in Germany, Systain has calculated possible total savings of 170,000 tonnes of CO2 and 57 million m³ of water. These figures are equivalent to the annual contribution of some 20,000 German citizens to total CO2 emissions and the annual water consumption of 145,000 Germans.

In addition to this significant environmental advantage, clothing finished with Teflon® fabric protector provides consumers with the benefit of greater wear resistance, so that the clothes can stay looking as good as new for longer. Using Teflon® fabric protector can also boost sales for the clothing industry and retailers, as a market research study in the USA has demonstrated. This study revealed that the well-known Teflon® trademark on a product increases its value in the eyes of the purchaser, meaning higher prices can be charged.

The Teflon® fabric protector Shield and Clean Portfolio…
… is the umbrella term for a family of textile finishing technologies which make moisture bead up and repel dirt and oil. Wool, cotton and blend fabrics are effectively protected from road grime, spills and splashes without any consequent change in the weight, appearance, tactile properties, colour and breathability of the fabrics. As a result, not only clothing, but also upholstery and fabrics in indoor and outdoor applications can stay looking fresh and clean for longer.

DuPont's current commercial introduction of its new high-performance short-chain Teflon® fabric protector products (Short-Chain Products) with their significant environmental benefits is giving the industry access to compelling new technological developments. The performance benefits traditionally associated with this brand remain completely unimpaired.

Teflon® SHIELD fabric protector makes water bead up and shortens the drying time of fabrics for outdoor clothing and umbrellas. SHIELD Plus also repels oils and other soiling, while SHIELD Pro Plus is in addition particularly durable.

Teflon® CLEAN fabric protector allows most oil- and water-based stains to be removed without a trace during normal laundering or cleaning. CLEAN Plus offers greater durability, while CLEAN & Dry additionally absorbs moisture.

Teflon® SHIELD & Clean Plus fabric protector provides a combined action with water beading, rapid drying and easy removal of soiling, while with SHIELD & Dry water beads on the outside of the fabric but the inside absorbs moisture.

Systain – Applied Corporate Responsibility (www.systain.com) is an international strategic consultancy working in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). As experts in the complex global issues involved in the creation of value, Systain provides answers to multinational challenges relating to the environment, labour practices and manufacturing conditions.

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 www.dupont.com.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, The miracles of science™ and Teflon® are registered trademarks or trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

Contact:
DuPont de Nemours (Deutschland) GmbH
Horst Ulrich Reimer
Public Relations Manager Europe, Middle East, Africa
Performance Chemicals & Fluoroproducts
Phone: +49 (0) 6102 18-1297
horst-ulrich.reimer@dupont.com