Ciba Specialty Chemicals and DuPont have been cooperating for several years on stain release and repellent finishes. This new joint development and marketing agreement enables both companies to share intellectual and technical resources.

The alliance is a direct result of the new DuPont Textiles and Interiors business model that assesses consumer needs first and then, working with customers, provides market-leading products to satisfy those needs.

As part of the agreement, DuPont Textiles and Interiors will provide Ciba with access to the resources in its strategic business units, including strengths in the apparel and home textile markets, consumer marketing and brand management. In turn, Ciba offers a broad textile effects portfolio, as well as a wealth of expertise in textile chemical formulation, mill sales, technical application and quality assurance.

As part of the alliance, the Teflon marketing team, led by Teresa Kleinhans, global business manager, will be integrated into the DuPont Textiles and Interiors strategic business unit and continue the responsibility for the Teflon fabric protection business. DuPont Apparel and Home & Industrial Textiles (HIT) segments will drive the global marketing initiatives and will continue to manage overall segment strategies.