DuPont joins hands with Reliance, Vipul for 'green' sarees

Company expecting up to 13% growth in the next year

Giving Indian sarees a 'green' touch, US-based technology giant Dupont has joined hands with Reliance Industries and Vipul Sarees for use of its renewable fibre product Sorona to make an 'environment-friendly' version of this ethnic ladieswear.

Dupont, which sees agriculture and food, advanced materials and industrial biosciences as key drivers in India, is expecting up to 13% growth in the next year.

"India is a very strategic market for overall growth of Dupont and is about the 8th largest country globally from a revenue perspective," DuPont President, South Asia and ASEAN, Balvinder Singh Kalsi told PTI.

Commenting on the company's growth expectations for the coming year, he said: "We expect around 12 to 13% growth in sales in 2015."

He, however, declined to share the company's revenue figures in India.

On the main drivers for growth for the company, Kalsi said it would be mainly three focus areas -- Agriculture and Food, Advanced Materials and Industrial Biosciences.

DuPont would continue to bring sustainable, eco-friendly products that are suited for the Indian market.

On the Sarona-based 'green' sarees, he said: "By partnering with industry veterans Reliance and Vipul, Dupont is able to bring together all the elements necessary to offer a compelling product for today's evolved Indian consumers."

The saree collection is made using a yarn of Sorona fibre, which is developed from renewable plant based sources instead of traditional synthetic fibres which are sourced from fossil fuels.

Under their partnership, while Reliance will produce yarns based out of Sorona fibres Vipul will be responsible for creating the sarees.

"Dupont is launching the company's product called Sorona in the sarees market and we are introducing this product along with the Indian ethnic wear incorporated in to the sarees," Kalsi said.

Commenting on the development, Reliance Polyester Sector Head Rakesh Gaur said: "We are pleased to bring yarns based on Sorona to the Indian textiles through this collaboration with Dupont now."

Vipul will make the product available across 1,000 stores in over 100 cities across the country.

"Our premium collection of sarees made from Sorona offers the superior softness and colour brilliance of silk, are light weight, easy to maintain and offer excellent drape," Vipul Fashions Managing Director Anil Agarwal said.

Dupont has been a pioneer in the fabric innovation for over a hundred years and has developed products such as rayon, nylon and lycra.