NEWARK, Del., U.S.: CovationBio, a leading global company offering bio-based solutions, announces the latest innovation from its bio-based polymer brand Sorona, in collaboration with Killer (KKCL in National Stock Exchange, India), a young, trendy, vibrant fashion brand with an attitude. The release of this collection brings an innovation to the shirting world with Sorona polymer treated in a hank dyeing process for the first time. The new application for shirting offers a two-way stretch with Sorona polymer removing the need for spandex.
The collaboration between CovationBio and Killer combines cotton and Sorona polymer to create a garment with exceptional comfort, moisture management, luxurious drape, and a superior hand feel in addition to vibrant color, and outstanding stretch and recovery. The new global collection expands the future of sustainable textiles in casual fashion, streamlining the method for dyeing Sorona polymer and reducing the processing time for colored stretch fabrics made with Sorona polymer.
Sorona polymer, made from 37% annually renewable plant-based ingredients, offers a high-performing, responsibly sourced material option. Fibers made with Sorona polymer are currently used in various apparel applications, including athleisure and athletic wear, insulation, swimwear, outerwear, suiting, faux fur, and more. Sorona polymer is a USDA Certified Biobased Product, has earned Class 1 certification as an OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 product, and is bluesign approved.
“The traditional yarn dyed checked fabrics lack stretch and Sorona polymer fills the void. While the yarn dyed concept is not new, Mr. Rakesh Basa, Technical Manager from the Killer team, challenged us to develop a process that would still work with Sorona polymer. The excellent stretch and recovery displayed by the yarns must be maintained through the yarn dyeing and fabric development process. Working closely with our strategic value chain partners, we delivered this innovative solution to the Killer brand team who realized the potential to add an entirely new category to their shirting portfolio,” said Neelmani Verma, South Asia Mill Manager & Technology Specialist for CovationBio.
“At KKCL, we are driven by a strong desire to constantly keep pace with the newest trends that are attractive to Gen Z, our core customer segment, that values performance and style in equal measure. Shirting is a growing segment within our menswear portfolio. We chose Sorona polymer as a key innovation to bring the elements of comfort, stretch, recovery, and moisture management. We believe in close customer engagement and have enabled that through these new garments that deliver both performance and sustainability. Our collaboration with the CovationBio team is an important step towards innovation that balances three key elements for our offerings – style, comfort, and fashion,” added Hemant Jain, Joint Managing Director, KKCL and Killer Brand Leader.
“Sorona polymer in yarn dyed format is an innovation that simplifies the overall fabric processing and maintains and delivers superior performance and an additional degree of design freedom. The Killer brand team was looking at new ways to innovate in the arena of yarn dyed shirting. They realized fibers made with Sorona polymer present a unique way to bring comfort and youthful vibrancy to their garments and express the spirit of what their brand stands for - freedom in movement that displays both style and substance. We were fortunate to work with the Killer brand who have a strong pulse of the needs of their customer and are pioneers in this space,” said Dr. Michael Saltzberg, CEO, CovationBio.
About CovationBio: Founded in 2022, in Newark, Delaware, Covation Biomaterials is a leading global innovator offering a product portfolio of high-performance, sustainable solutions. The company builds on its rich DuPont legacy of groundbreaking scientific innovation and continues to deliver novel solutions at scale across multiple industries, including apparel, carpeting, cosmetics, food and packaging. Through product lines such as Sorona, Susterra and Zemea, the mission of Covation Biomaterials is to deliver the sustainable building blocks that will enable customers to provide bio-based products accessible to everyone. Covation, Covation Biomaterials, Sorona, Sustera, and Zemea are trademarks of Covation BiomaterialsTM or its affiliate. For more information about Covation Biomaterials, please visit CovationBio.com and follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
About KKCL and Killer Brand: Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited is one of India’s largest branded apparel manufacturers, engaged in the design, manufacturing and marketing of a wide range of apparel and lifestyle products for men and women. Incorporated in 1989, and headquartered in Mumbai, the company has consumers in Asia, Middle East and CIS. The company prides itself on the contributions made to the ever-evolving denim culture in India, with multiple in-house brands — Killer, Integriti, LawmanPg3, Easies, Desi Belle and K-Lounge. Killer, the flagship brand of KKCL has innovated the sustainable and award winning Water Saver Jeans. The company has been in listed domain since 2006 and has a track-record of healthy and category best profitability, amongst peers in the industry. The-state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are real growth enablers for the company. The production facilities are ISO 9000 certified. Killer Jeans has always brought innovation and superior design into their product ranges, appealing to the bold, rebellious, unique, creative and sustainable audience. Killer has consistently innovated products like: Worn-Out jeans (2003), with a broken-in look for those who prefer to stand out in the crowd; Revealingly Low jeans (2004), with inherent sex appeal, for those who never have to try too hard, for anything; Shreds (2005), with an unfinished look, for those who dare to be themselves; Jeanos (2017); Sunwash (2018); and Water Saver Jeans, for those who believe that style should be sustainable. KKCL is retailed through 125+ active distributors, 351 branded stores, 1000+ Large Format Stores and 2000+ MBOs.
