The Chemours Company (Chemours), a global chemistry company with leading market positions in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions, received the 2019 SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal for leading a team that developed Teflon EcoElite, a non-fluorinated, renewably sourced durable repellent for use in the consumer textile market. The development of Teflon EcoElite finish is part of Chemours’ broader pledge to develop products with industry-leading sustainability profiles.
The Moore Medal is awarded by The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), America Group, and recognizes early career success in innovation, as reflected both in market impact and improvement to the quality of life. Teflon EcoElite repellent was developed by a team led by Sworen between 2012 and 2015, and has been adopted by many major brand houses that manufacture consumer sportswear, including Colmar.
“Consumers are demanding cleaner, greener products, and with products like Teflon EcoElite, we’re positioning our customers farther up the value chain to meet that demand,” said Paul Kirsch, President of Fluoroproducts at Chemours. “John’s innovation is a game-changer for the textile industry, and we are so proud that he has received this hard-earned recognition. At Chemours, we are committed to leading our industry forward on the issues of social and environmental responsibility – and John’s development of Teflon EcoElite repellent is a shining example of that commitment.”
Teflon EcoElite finish is the first renewably sourced, non-fluorinated fabric treatment for durable repellency and is manufactured with 60% renewably sourced raw materials, which are not made with genetically modified organisms (GMO). This means that much of what goes into Teflon EcoElite finish can be naturally regrown and replaced over time. Simultaneously, its performance far exceeds existing non-fluorinated technologies, such as paraffin and silicones. Unlike those types of non-fluorinated finishes, fabrics with Teflon EcoElite finish can repel water and water-based stains for 30 washes or more.
Additionally, Teflon EcoElite finish is up to 3x more durable than many non-fluorinated repellents, and does not impact fabric breathability, allowing for maximum comfort.
In 2018, Chemours published its first Corporate Responsibility Commitments, including ten ambitious sustainability goals that the company has pledged to achieve by 2030. These goals include receiving 50% or more of the company’s revenue from product offerings that make a specific contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and reducing air and water process emissions of fluorinated organic chemicals by 99% or greater.
Source: Chemours
