Chemours scientist Sworen honored for work with Teflon EcoElite

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John Sworen, a Technical Fellow at The Chemours Company will receive the 2019 SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal for leading a team that developed Teflon EcoElite, a non-fluorinated, renewably sourced durable repellent for use in the consumer textile market. The development of Teflon EcoElite™ finish is part of Chemours’ broader pledge to develop products with industry-leading sustainability profiles.

The Moore Medal is awarded by The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), America Group, and recognizes early career success in innovation, as reflected both in market impact and improvement to the quality of life. Teflon EcoElite™ repellent was developed by a team led by Sworen between 2012 and 2015, and has been adopted by many major brand houses that manufacture consumer sportswear, including Colmar.

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“Consumers are demanding cleaner, greener products, and with products like Teflon EcoElite™, we’re positioning our customers farther up the value chain to meet that demand,” said Paul Kirsch, President of Fluoroproducts at Chemours. “John’s innovation is a game-changer for the textile industry, and we are so proud that he has received this hard-earned recognition. At Chemours, we are committed to leading our industry forward on the issues of social and environmental responsibility – and John’s development of Teflon EcoElite™ repellent is a shining example of that commitment.”

Teflon EcoElite™ finish is the first renewably sourced, non-fluorinated fabric treatment for durable repellency and is manufactured with 60 percent  renewably sourced raw materials, which are not made with genetically modified organisms (GMO). This means that much of what goes into Teflon EcoElite™ finish can be naturally regrown and replaced over time.

Sworen began his career as a research investigator at Chemours predecessor company DuPont. While at DuPont, he led the company’s development of surface protection products, inventing and commercializing 18 products in the space. Sworen holds a B.S. in Chemistry from The Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organic and Polymer Chemistry from the University of Florida. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt, has published 13 journal articles, and he holds 27 granted and pending patents.

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