Dupont Duralife™ Brand Delivers Consumer-Demanded Comfort & Durability

Furniture World Magazine

Consumers can find furniture and mattress products that provide both comfort and long-lasting, durable performance with the DuPont" DuraLife™ line of branded fiberfill products that provide superior performance in shape retention, loft and support. Engineered specifically for seating and mattress applications, the DuraLife™ brand outperforms generic fiberfill products and will be used on new, innovative cushion technologies that meet stringent DuPont quality standards. To understand exactly what consumers look for when purchasing furniture and mattress products, DuPont commissioned a survey that probed the desires of today's savvy shoppers. The results show that durability and comfort top the list of attributes considered most important by consumers when purchasing seating and bedding items. In brief, the research data showed that consumers want furniture that stays new-looking over the life of the purchase. DuraLife ™ fiberfill products were developed to meet these consumer demands for durability and comfort. "The lasting look of comfort" is the copyrighted tag line for the DuraLife™ brand created to drive the durability and comfort message home to consumers. However, it is the technology inside the fiberfill that delivers on the durability and comfort promise. Technically speaking, the DuraLife™ brand of fiberfill utilizes engineered, high-vold-content, helical fibers. These fibers deliver superior bulk support and loft versus generic fiberfill. Other DuraLife TM products include a line of patented, free-flowing cluster fibers that provide resilient comfort. A series of rigorous tests designed to replicate five years of residential use indicates back cushions filled with DuPont DuraLife ™ retain 15 percent more loft and 17 percent more bulk support than generic fiberfill. All DuraLife ™fiberfill products resist matting, clumping and mildew and, unlike natural fibers, are hypoallergenic and nonabsorbent. According to Tom Kearns, director, DuPont Global Home Textiles, the DuraLife ™ brand will continue to grow as new products are developed. "DuPont is exploring new avenues to bring high-quality products to market under the DuraLi fe™ brand," said Kearns. "We're exploring a host of new engineered fiber technologies, including the use of natural fiber alternatives and constructions. "We recognize that innovative solutions and products will result from our extensive R&D efforts, but we are also seeking consumer solutions by working closely with select furniture designers and manufacturers. If the materials inside seating cushions or mattress products go flat quickly, not even the most expensive fabric wi 11 make the furniture look better. The DuPont DuraLlfe ™ brand name, now part of the Home and Industrial Textiles group, will deliver the technology consumers are looking for to make their home furnishings look new for years to come." The DuraLlfe ™ brand name will be used on current and future technologies that address consumer needs for durability, style and comfort, extend the life of seating products and mattresses, and drive improvements in furniture and mattress manufacturing processes. DuPont Apparel and Textile Sciences is a global branded business linked to DuPont science that brings innovation to all categories of apparel, accessories, home and industrial textiles through brands like Lycra® elastane, Tactel® textile nylon, CoolMax® performance fabrics, Thermolite® performance insulation, Cordura® nylon and Comforel® sleep products. Since its invention of nylon in 1938, DuPont has been at the forefront in introducing fiber technology that meets consumer expectations for new and better products as well as improved lifestyles. DuPont is a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people's lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation. Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 93,000 employees.