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Safety and protection

On-demand intumescence

23 February 2016

An intumescent mat that can be activated on demand to provide protection without needing to experience the heat of a fire will be shown for the first time at JEC World in Paris, France, on

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Flame-retardant spunbond for furniture covers

19 February 2016

A flame-retardant (FR) spunbond fabric cover can help keep down the manufacturing costs of home furnishings and reduce the toxic gases generated in the event of a fire.

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Aramid fabrics protect buildings from volcanic debris

2 February 2016

Fabrics capable of protecting buildings from airborne volcanic fragments as large as a fist (about 10 cm) have been developed in Japan.

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DSM Dyneema adds anti-stab materials to portfolio

10 December 2015

DSM Dyneema has introduced a patented material designed to provide soft armour with protection from stabbing attacks.

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Specialist cutters for airbag fabrics

4 December 2015

From January 2016, airbag manufacturers will be able to take advantage of a new range of laser cutters backed by dedicated software and a range of services provided by the builder to help them meet

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Colour-coded cut-resistance

2 December 2015

A UK company has introduced a range of cut-resistant gloves that are colour-coded to alert the wearer to the level of protection being offered.

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Additional slash-resistance

27 November 2015

In response to the growing needs of law-enforcement, civil-enforcement, prison and security officers, a UK company has launched a slash-resistant shirt, which is designed to protect major arteries

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Cool suit for chemical protection

17 November 2015

Radiation Shield Technologies (RST) of Miami, Florida, USA,is introducing a full-body suit that protects against viral, biological and chemical threats—Demron ICE.

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Feeling the Force

13 November 2015

DSM Dyneema says that its Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology continues to gain traction in the life protection market owing to its light weight, high performance, comfort and flexibility.

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Durability is the core to the success of Invista’s Cordura brand

On a visit to Invista Textiles Ltd, Nick Butler learned about the technology and marketing strategy that lie behind the success of the Cordura brand, and how the company exploits its know-how to develop new products.

 

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Chemtura quits making bromine-based flame retardants

16 October 2015

A major chemical manufacturer has announced it is to stop making and selling flame-retardant (FR)-based agents based on hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD).

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Is this fibre the next big thing in flame-resistant protection?

A breakthrough spinning system patented by Lorica International offers the prospect of step changes in the performance of inherently flame-resistant fibres and fabrics, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Zwerenz. 

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Thin, comfortable cut-protection for hands

22 July 2015

A glove that offers a high level of cut-protection while being made from material that is half the thickness of comparable products is now available from Ansell of Iselin, New Jerse

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Alexium targets European markets

7 July 2015

Six customers in the European markets for automotive, workwear and military fabrics, with a combined sales potential of US$15–20 million in the next 12–18 months, are already being

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Point Blank sold

6 June 2015

A private equity firm in the USA has completed the acquisition of Point Blank Enterprises, a specialist in soft armour and anti-ballistic protection.

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TenCate adapts military fabric for firefighters' turnout gear

29 May 2015

Thermal barrier and liner fabrics designed for use in firefighters’ turnout gear will be the centrepieces of TenCate Protective Fabrics’ exhibit at the Interschutz 2015 int

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How safe are flame-retardants?

22 May 2015

A method for assessing the suitability of flame-retardant (FR) agents for any given application has been developed by a chemical manufacturer.

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Understanding the fit of helmets for protection and comfort

31 March 2015

To improve the efficacy of textile-based safety helmets, a German institute has conducted pioneering work to measure and categorize the sizes and shapes of heads, combined with assessments of hygie

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High-performance cut-resistant glove with good grip

1 March 2015

A patented technology that combines high-carbon steel and polyester (PES) yarns is at the heart of a cut-resistant glove designed to allow workers to grip safely objects with sharp edges and slippe

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Aramid-reinforced cover to contain unwanted airbag deployments

1 January 2015
A Dutch company has introduced a protection cover designed to minimize the impact of the unwanted deployment of an airbag.
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TenCate acquisition adds sensors to body armour

1 December 2014
TenCate Advanced Armor USA of Newark, Ohio, USA, has acquired the sensor technology of Newport Sensors, based in Irvine, California, USA.
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Alexium flame-retardant treatment for automotive interiors

1 October 2014
A major supplier of automotive interiors has chosen to use a flame-retardant (FR) treatment from Alexium International of Perth, Australia, for commercial production.
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Keeping firefighters cool even in extreme environments

1 October 2014
UK firefighters have been conducting trials of a fabric designed to manage moisture and so keep its wearer safe, dry and cool, even while working in extremely hot environments.
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Wearable airbag to protect hips

1 September 2014
Wearable airbag technology that prevents hard-to-heal hip fractures in elderly patients will be presented at the TEDMED conference, to be held in Washington, DC, USA, on 10-12 September 2014.
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US adopts standard for personal protective equipment

1 May 2014
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) of Washington, DC, USA, has approved a standard that is written to give suppliers, users and regulators of personal protective equipment (PPE) a consis
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High-visibility knitwear

1 May 2014
An Italian company specializing in knitwear for protective applications has introduced new fleece and microfleece fabrics, as well as fabrics made from recycled polyester (PES).
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High-visibility components

1 February 2014
Safe Reflections Inc of St Paul, Minnesota, USA, unveiled a range of high-visibility reflective trims, transfers and fabrics for the first time during the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show in Salt L
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Electroluminescent strips for high-visibility in all conditions

1 December 2013
Thin, flexible and washable electroluminescent strips that are designed to make the wearer visible in all light conditions have been co-developed by two partners.
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From the air to the land--textile innovations that save lives

1 December 2013
From the most sophisticated ejection seats for modern aircraft to flexible dams to store water for India's farmers, Ian Holme reports from a conference in Manchester, UK, on how textile innovations ar
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Lightweight blend is flame-retardant and anti-static

1 December 2013
A lightweight, flame-retardant (FR) and anti-static fabric (Sungrazer 180) has been added to the range of Klopman International of Ratingen, Germany.
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Unidirectional laminate for lightweight protection

1 December 2013
Teijin Aramid has launched a laminate (Twaron UD 22) consisting of two plies of aramid yarns, which the company from Arnhem, The Netherlands, says it designed for use in soft body armour.
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Undergarment to protect against chemical and biological agents

1 December 2013
Special Forces of the US military are to be equipped with new garments to protect them from chemical and biological agents, and Tennessee Apparel Corp of Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA, says it has been id
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DuPont responds to market need for multi-threat protection

1 December 2013
DuPont of Wilmington, Delaware, USA, launched two products based on its para-aramid fibre (Kevlar) at the Milipol exhibition, held in Paris, France, on 19-22 November 2013.
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Reflective fabric to help make wearer visible to motorists

1 November 2013
King Tech of San Diego, California, USA, exhibited its latest reflective fabric, LumiTech, at the IFAI Expo in Orlando, Florida, USA (23-25 October 2013).
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Lightweight anti-ballistic inserts

1 October 2013
TenCate Advanced Armour claims its latest antiballistic inserts have the lightest weight of any capable of protecting the wearer from one of the most common gun threats in the world, the mild steel-co
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Soft, comfortable body armour for ballistic - and stab - protection

1 October 2013
Scientists in the USA are developing soft body armour that they claim can offer a high level of protection from ballistic projectiles and resistance to strikes from sharp objects.
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High-level body armour for military and law enforcement personnel

1 August 2013
TenCate Advanced Armor North America of Newark, Ohio, USA, has launched a range of products for body armour comprising: two soft-body materials; five softbody inserts; 14 hard-body plates.
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Workwear fabric range exploits synergy of Klopman and Schoeller

1 July 2013
During the latest Techtextil (Frankfurt, Germany; 11-13 June 2013), two partners revealed a range of highperformance workwear fabrics.
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Anti-ballistic water-repellent fabrics from Teijin Aramid

1 July 2013
A new aramid fabric for anti-ballistic applications and three different water-repellent treatments for aramid fabrics were presented by Teijin Aramid of Arnhem, The Netherlands, for the first time dur
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Tungsten-aramid blend protects against radiation

1 May 2013
A modified para-aramid fabric developed by Teijin Ltd offers protection against high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, such as X- and gamma rays, according to the company from Tokyo, Japan.
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Selection of the correct safety equipment more vital than ever

Several drivers are shaping developments of a range of fabric-based solutions designed to offer protection against chemical and biological threats. Ian Hutcheson from Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics describes what these drivers are and urges users to take care when selecting from the array of solutions now available to them.

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Multifunctional workwear

1 January 2013
A range of multifunctional safety garments is now available for welders, electricians and industrial workers at risk from electrical hazards, fire and heat, liquid chemicals and outdoor environments.
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JB Martin sells Martintek USA

1 December 2012
JB Martin Ltd has sold its business, called Martintek USA, which specializes in hard and soft ballistic materials.
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Lightweight aramid to improve comfort of bullet-resistant vests

1 October 2012
Teijin Aramid of Arnhem, The Netherlands, has introduced two products based on its para-aramid fibre (Twaron) that are intended to offer protection from bullets while being lightweight and comfortable
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Aramid protection for tablet computers

1 October 2012
Photographers, reporters and dignitaries in warzones and hostile environments can now get additional protection thanks to a bulletproof cover for tablet computers, specifically Apple's iPad.
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Aramid-based yarn blend for comfort and security

1 August 2012
A yarn blend for making fabrics that offer protection from electrical arcs and flames, particularly those from flash fires, while being comfortable to wear is the subject of International Patent Publi
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Better fit will make gloves safer

1 July 2012
State-of-the-art three-dimensional (3D) scanners are helping scientists at the Hohenstein Institute in Bonnigheim, Germany, to create detailed and accurate virtual models of hands, as well as measurem
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$15-million investment boost to production of flame-retardant fabrics

1 June 2012
Mount Vernon Mills of Mauldin, South Carolina, USA, says it has more than doubled its production capacity for flame-retardant (FR) fabrics at its manufacturing facility in Trion, Georgia, USA.
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Flame-retardants in three colours

1 June 2012
A range of flame-retardant (FR) coveralls for workers in the oil and gas, utility and transportation industries was introduced at the Health and Safety Expo (Birmingham, UK, 15-17 May 2012) by Praybou
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Multiple protection fabrics

1 June 2012
A German company has launched a brand of cut- and stab-proof, and flame-retardant (FR) textiles for its domestic market and says it is planning to make them available in other regions.
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