Safety and protection

A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) haS developed a washable and re-usable nano-filter that can fit inside standard surgical masks.

Omega Systèmes (Omega) is shipping 900 000 face masks approved by the French General Directorate of Armament to the Ministère des Armées for distribution to food manufacturers, supermarkets and nur

3M has started legal proceedings against a company that it says twice attempted to sell fraudulently tens of millions of likely non-existent 3M respirators at grossly inflated prices to the federal

Germany-based nonwovens producer Sandler is investing in a production line for the manufacture of nonwovens for respirators in response to the human coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Fibre-based materials manufacturer Ahlstrom-Munksjö has increased capacity across its entire product range of protective medical fabrics to support the healthcare industry in efforts to combat the

Ultrasonic bonding technology could be used to produce barrier seams for personal protective equipment (PPE) rapidly and efficiently, according to Sonobond Ultrasonics of West Chester, Pennsylvania

Machine builder Reifenhäuser Reicofil of Troisdorf, Germany, reports that it has found domestic customers for the meltblown nonwovens that, in response to the urgent global demand for face masks,

Respilon of Brno, Czechia, reports that it has sold all of its RespiPro and R-mask nanofibre face masks, but has secured new capacity for their manufacture in Turkey.

Industrial thread manufacturer Coats has become the latest company to join the Gerber PPE Task Force, which has been established to help companies adapt their manufacturing set-ups for the producti

An ozone-based technology typically used for the finishing of denim is being re-purposed for the sanitisation and disinfection of face masks.

Filter media made by Cummins using DuPont’s Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) could help to address the current shortage of N95 face and respirator masks in the USA.

A website that collects and reviews the scientific literature regarding the decontamination of N95 face masks in order to create a set of best practices for the re-use of this protective equipment

Two research and training pilot production lines at North Carolina State University (NCSU)’s Nonwovens Institute (NWI) in Raleigh, USA, are being used to produce materials for face masks that will

US nanofibre manufacturer NXTNano of Claremore, Oklahoma, reports that it currently has 100 000 m² of nanofibre-core nonwovens that it is treating to the specifications required for the

In response to the human coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Institut fur Textiltechnik (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University in Germany is setting-up a registry to connect producers of face masks with

A total of 250 million medical face masks and 30–40 million personal protective equipment (PPE) masks will be needed in the European Union (EU) each month for the battle against human coronavirus (

3M has completed the sale of its ballistic-protection business to Avon Rubber Plc for US$91 million.

Lightweight and thin carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) body armour able to protect its wearer from attacks with blunt, edged and pointed weapons has been unveiled by

Honeywell of Morris Plains, New Jersey, USA, is increasing its capacity for the production of its ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre (Spectra) by more than 20%.

Labels for workwear and uniforms designed to show that their safety, quality and durability have been thoroughly tested have been launched by Hohenstein of Bönnigheim, Germany.

A textile composite suitable for use as the outer layer of a garment for professionals working in hazardous environments has been developed by WL Gore & Associates (Gore) of Newark, Delaware, U

A lightweight ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre-reinforced composite for the production of combat helmets has been unveiled by Honeywell of Morris Plains, New Jersey, USA.

Virgin Galactic and Under Armour (UA) have unveiled the spacesuits to be worn by passengers on Virgin's commercial sub-orbital spaceflights.

A pair of fabrics designed to offer comfort, ease of movement, and protection for firefighters and first responders has been launched by Arville of Wetherby, UK.

A breathable, heat-reflecting textile that can be worn by firefighters, rescue workers and military personnel working in close proximity to fires has been developed by Heathcoat Fabrics of Tiverton

Specialist in the production and supply of arc-flash protective clothing, Skanwear has secured a new contract with ABB North America.

A flame- and heat-resistant fabric that is lightweight, soft, flexible and durable has been launched by Coats of Uxbridge, UK.

Protective clothing that is comfortable and provides a high level of protection from electric arc (arc discharge) has been developed by DuPont of Wilmington, Delaware, USA.

3M is to sell its advanced ballistic-protection business to Avon Rubber Plc for US$91 million. 

A multifunctional protective fabric made from high-strength fibres has been developed by Shadow Works Group of Lorton, Virginia, USA.

Researchers in the USA have demonstrated that vehicle armour made using composite metal foam (CMF) can stop large-calibre ball and armour-piercing rounds as effectively as conventional steel armour

A lightweight yet effective ballistic protection material that is more comfortable to wear that existing solutions has been developed by Blücher of Erkrath, Germany.

Spinning mill Filidea and its automotive components and technical apparel partner Sparco, both based in Piedmont, Italy, have worked with Team McLaren Honda F1 in the development of what is claimed

After a 10-year research and development (R&D) effort, an anti-mosquito masterbatch for use in long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) designed to counteract the increasing resistance of

A coating for polypropylene (PP) fibres that can capture toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents, even in highly humid environments, has been developed in the USA.

A fire-retardant fibre can be produced from a mixture of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) using a method developed by Aksa Akrilik of Çiftlikköy-Yalova, Turkey.

Protective garments made from a composite fabric with high cut- and puncture-resistance have been co-developed by UK-based Optipro and Lars Petter Andresen of Norway.

A polyamide (PA) staple fibre with a high load-bearing capacity has been developed by Invista.

Flame-resistant (FR) textiles manufacturer Westex by Milliken and aramid fibre producer Teijin Aramid have formed a joint technology and commercial partnership covering Southeast Asia and Australas

A flame-resistant fabric that is lightweight and complies with the relevant industrial standards for such personal protection garments has been developed by Invista of Wichita, Kansas, USA.

A lightweight and flexible protective padding system that can be incorporated into clothing has been developed by Hexaflex of Bernay, France.

A fire-resistant textile developed by Arville Textiles of Wetherby, UK, could be used to manufacture clothing for use by firefighters, military personnel and police officers.