Demand for eco products grows
According to a recent Cone Consumer Survey, demand for sustainable products remains strong despite the recent economic downturn. DuPont, which makes Sorona—a polymer derived from corn—claims to have seen evidence of this in terms of higher consumer demand for its renewably sourced products.
Around 44% of survey respondents said their “green” buying habits remain unchanged despite the slowdown and one-third said they are more likely to buy “green” products now than they were previously.
“The demand signals from the markets we serve are strong,” says John Ranieri, vice president and general manager, DuPont BioMaterials. “Our products offer both improved performance and a significantly reduced environmental footprint. Sorona is now being used in t-shirts and other apparel items produced by several prominent designers such as Izod, Timberland Calvin Klein Golf and EcoDesignz (under the Spun Bamboo brand). Sorona can be used to replace petroleum-derived materials and contains 37% renewably-sourced material (by weight).
“Delivering high-quality products with an environmental benefit makes great business sense,” adds Mr Ranieri. “Customer demand for these products has nearly doubled since the opening of the first bio-based production lines in 2006, and this portfolio represents a $14 billion market opportunity.”
