Interview with Rene Molina

Where are the solutions growing for Dupont-bio-materials, fabric & care, or textile processing?

Dupont is active and growing in all these spaces. Within biomaterials, we have a variety of solutions from providing a polymer with exceptional attributes in the textiles, apparel, and carpet markets to engineered polysaccharides which are renewable, inherently biodegradable, and have a huge range of end-use applications throughout the packaging, food, and cosmetics spaces, just to name a few. In the larger Industrial Biosciences organisation, we provide enzymes in the home and personal care and textile processing spaces.

How have revenues been? What is the emphasis in terms of R&D?

We are doing well! We are always looking to grow the business both in our current markets and as we expand into different markets through new innovations-so our target for the next year is to continue to do just that. If you are curious for more details on DowDuPont, you can always take a look at our 2017 annual report.

Research and development has been, and I imagine always will be, a key piece of our budget. Dupont's investment in R&D is the driving force behind our growth as it is how we continue to innovate and provide better products to the marketplace. We are extremely fortunate that our entire Biomaterials team is integrated, allowing for great collaboration between the various departments within our group.

Is Dupont working towards circularity and blockchain applications?

Definitely-a circular economy is the economic model of the future. There is no question that it is on the minds of all of us within Dupont Biomaterials, as well as our partners in the various industries we are involved. For us, circularity means looking at the picture holistically; creating products that have both a responsible life story as well as end of life story is our aim. This means developing ingredients that are bio-based, have a smaller production footprint, help create products that are longer-lasting, in addition to having a responsible end of life story. 

In the apparel industry, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is leading the way through their efforts with the Circular Economy 100 (CE100) and their Make Fashion Circular Initiative. If you are interested in circularity in the fashion industry check out this recent article from Dupont Biomaterials Marketing Director, Renee Henze, called "Reduce, Reuse, Re-wear: Why The Circular Economy Is Becoming Fashion's Hottest Trend." 

We are not currently using any blockchain applications, but we are always working to enhance our transparency.

Which are your major markets for solutions in the textile niche-fabrics, fibres & nonwovens? Where do you see the prospects growing?

Sorona has an opportunity in many of these applications in the carpet and apparel space. In apparel especially, we have seen a huge demand among brands seeking high-performance, sustainable fibres across new categories such as insulation, shoe uppers, intimate apparel, and swimwear. In addition, we are constantly seeing new types of construction and blends using Sorona.

What alternative plant-based ingredients and biofibres are you working at Dupont's research labs?

Any major announcements at Dupont Industrial Biosciences planned this year? Any product launches in the near future?