Premiere Fibers Enters Into Strategic Relationship with Verdezyne

ANSONVILLE, N.C., Dec. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Premiere Fibers, a global industry leader in the development and production of specialized performance fine denier yarns for branded apparel and technical fabric applications, announced it has entered into a strategic relationship with Verdezyne, a privately held industrial biotechnology company focused on producing renewable bio-based chemicals. Verdezyne will supply its bio-based adipic acid to Premiere Fibers for use in their industry-leading sustainable Nylon 6,6 yarns.

"Throughout the marketplace there is a steadfast commitment to superior performance and sustainability in all branded products we proudly support," said John Amirtharaj, president of Premiere Fibers. "The performance advantage we offer in fine denier low DPF filament yarns using Nylon 6,6 is clear. However, this same superior chemistry presents unique challenges in sustainability. We believe the solution is multidimensional, combining our leading recycling processes with renewable bio-based resources. This also supports our objective of reducing dependency on petroleum-based raw materials. Micro-organisms may very well become the chemical producers of the future, and we enthusiastically welcome this opportunity to work toward common objectives with Verdezyne on our quest to achieve sustainability." 

"From the source of its ingredients, to the scale of its environmental footprint and multiple useful lives, this brings us significantly closer to achieving our goal of providing the world with fiber technology that is truly sustainable and not reliant on oil," said Brendan McSheehy, Universal Fiber Systems' director of Innovation and Sustainable Technology. "Holding this bio-based Nylon 6,6 yarn in my hands, and knowing that more than half of its content came not from petroleum, but from fermented waste plant stock, I am both humbled and proud. Humbled that we are taking a big step toward achieving a petroleum-free polymer, and proud that we are collaborating with true innovators like Verdezyne."

"As leaders in sustainable fiber technology, we are extremely pleased to be partnered with Premiere Fibers in commercializing Verdezyne's bio-based adipic acid for use in their "EcoInnovation Fiber," said E. William Radany, Ph.D., president and CEO of Verdezyne. "Premiere Fibers has set themselves apart by creating high-performance, innovative and sustainable Nylon 6,6 filament yarns, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with such an outstanding company."  

About Premiere Fibers

U.S. based in Ansonville, N.C., and ISO 9001 certified, Premiere Fibers is a global multi-polymer specialized man-made fiber producer, and markets its yarn systems globally to performance apparel, military and technical fabric customers. The company offers both partially oriented yarns and fully drawn yarns, collaborating closely both upstream and forward in its supply chain to deliver differentiated products, unique value and unparalleled customer service. For more information, call 704-826-8321, email [email protected] or visit www.premierefibers.com.

About Verdezyne

Verdezyne is an industrial biotechnology company using proven and proprietary metabolic pathway engineering tools to develop unique yeast strains for cost-effective production of bio-based chemicals. Current investors in Verdezyne include BP Alternative Energy Ventures, DSM Venturing B.V., OVP Venture Partners and Monitor Ventures. For more information, visit www.verdezyne.com.

SOURCE Premiere Fibers, Inc.