Dederon®

Dederon is a trade name for a synthetic fiber made of 100% polyamide (most commonly polyamide 6), which began to be produced in East Germany (GDR) after World War II as a competitor to West German Perlon and Eastern European Silon. Industrial production started in the 1950s, and the material reached its peak popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, especially in the production of household and work aprons, linings, lightweight dresses, and curtains. The production process involves the polymerization of caprolactam into long polyamide chains, melting the polymer, and extruding it through spinnerets to form fine, flexible, and strong fibers. These fibers are then treated, dyed, and spun into woven and knitted textiles. Dederon fabrics are characterized by being lightweight, strong, colorfast, low in moisture absorption, quick-drying, and resistant to wrinkling. However, they are not very breathable, which makes them less suitable for everyday clothing. Today, Dederon is mainly used in technical applications or for linings where easy care and long durability are important. It represents a typical product of the post-war expansion of synthetic textile production in Europe.