Integris Composites Launches Customizable Ballistic Shields And Vests At Milipol Paris

PARIS — November 13, 2023 — Integris Composites, the global supplier of armor protection for the world’s elite military and law-enforcement units, will display its new “make your own shield” concept and soft body armor vests at Milipol Paris 2023 Stand 5 F009, taking place Nov. 14–17 at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.

“We are presenting two innovations,” said Jan Grimberg, the senior vice president of marketing and sales EMEA at Integris, “a new product line of body armor vests with our Rapid Don/Doff system that is an industry first and a new line of customizable ballistic shields.”

Integris Composites Facility in France

Integris, the new name for TenCate Advanced Armour, is continuing the company’s quarter-century emphasis on safety, reliability and survivability.

Make Your Own Shield Concept

The new shield line is designed to respond to law enforcement and military organizations, which frequently want designs tailored to their procedures.

“Bespoke solutions are nothing new for Integris Composites, but in the past, small-quantity, custom shield orders had to contend with the entire industry’s inherent need to tailor-make molds for every version—cost prohibitive for small orders,” said James Williamson, Integris Composite’s sales manager for France, Spain and Portugal.

The addition of new equipment in the past year enables Integris to make shields that are specific to a customer’s needs for shape, size and weight, but with a significantly shorter lead time and at a price like that of larger series. “Our new manufacturing capability reduces the nonrecurring costs (NRC) of molds. This makes one, two or a few handheld portable shields completely feasible,” explained Williamson.

A Dream Capability

“This is a dream capability. Now, as a customer, you have a choice. You can buy something off the shelf from our catalog. Or you can buy a customized solution that’s a lot more affordable than it was in the past,” said Williamson.

Custom products are especially appealing to law enforcement and military since many units require specifications in size, weight and shape to allow active members to perform their duties with a focus on safety and durability. “They don’t have to buy a million euros worth of product to get exactly what they want. They do not have to buy thousands of units to get exactly what they want. They can get exactly what they want when ordering a few units,” added Williamson.

Testing New Rapid Don/Doff Vests

Throughout the show, Integris invites active members of law enforcement and the military to try on Rapid Don/Doff armor vests, which are making their public debut here.

Inspecting Armor Plate at Integris Composites

These vests use a magnetic buckle system. “They can take it off, put it on in two seconds without losing their settings,” said Stephen Jackson, regional director of Turkey, the Middle East and Africa. “This enhances safety, comfort and predictability.”

Special Pride

“There is a special pride in participating in Milipol,” said Grimberg. “We are a truly international company. With 25 percent of our workforce in France, we are proud to have the opportunity to display these two innovations in Paris under the banner of a new name,” said Grimberg.

Integris is an engineering company and the manufacturer of composite armor for land vehicles, aircraft, naval craft, protection housing for optronics and other sensitive technology, and personal protection gear. The company’s scope includes the design, development, production, sales and services of composite armor solutions. Integris’ product portfolio consists of panels or ready-to-install kits made from high-strength materials like HDPE, aramids and ceramics. For more information go to: www.integriscomposites.com.

Integris Composites Launching Shields at Milipol

Milipol Paris 2023 is the leading event dedicated to homeland security and safety, with over 30,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors. It is presented every two years under the auspices of the French Ministry of the Interior in partnership with several governmental bodies. For more information go to: www.milipol.com.

Posted: November 13, 2023

Source: Integris Composites

PVH Corp. To Sell Warners, Olga And True & Co. Businesses To Basic Resources

NEW YORK — November 13, 2023 — PVH Corp. and Basic Resources, a private, family-owned organization that manufactures and distributes apparel for consumer brands, today announced that Basic Resources will acquire PVH’s Warners, Olga and True & Co. businesses. The all-cash purchase price is $160 million, subject to adjustment, plus an earnout based on the net sales on a portion of the acquired businesses for calendar 2024, with a maximum value of $10 million. The transaction is expected to close at the end of November, subject to standard closing conditions.

“This transaction is an important next step as we continue to accelerate our focus under the PVH+ Plan to build our core brands, Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER, into the most desirable lifestyle brands in the world,” said Stefan Larsson, Chief Executive Officer of PVH. “I want to thank our teams for building Warners, Olga and True&Co into the beloved brands they are today. We know the Basic Resources team well as a longstanding PVH partner and are confident they are the right company to help grow these brands and ensure their continued success over the long term.”

“We are thrilled to bring the Warners, Olga and True&Co brands into our portfolio of leading consumer brands. Under these powerful brands, PVH has built a business that offers innovative, solution-oriented products that strongly resonate with consumers. We look forward to welcoming the team and leveraging our resources and expertise in the market to drive continued growth by offering customers well-designed, high-quality products,” said Salomon Harari, CEO of Basic Resources.

PVH intends to use the net proceeds from the transaction to repurchase shares of its common stock.

Posted: November 13, 2023

Source: PVH Corp.

Linnworks Appoints E-Commerce Industry Leader Georgia Leybourne As Chief Marketing Officer

LOUISVILLE, KY — November 13, 2023 — Linnworks, an  inventory management system (“IMS”), order management system (“OMS”), and warehouse management system (“WMS”) solutions provider and recently announced Connected CommerceOps platform, is pleased to announce the appointment of Georgia Leybourne as its new Chief Marketing Officer.

In her role, Georgia brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the e-commerce industry. With a background across multiple disciplines: customer service, sales, project management, business development, marketing, and partner alliances, Georgia is focused on maximizing revenue potential for retail, wholesale, and direct-to-consumer operations by creating frictionless journeys for consumers.

Georgia will be responsible for overseeing Linnworks’ marketing efforts, enhancing brand awareness, and creating strategies to effectively reach and serve a diverse customer base. Her expertise in the e-commerce sector will be instrumental in expanding Linnworks’ presence and reinforcing the company’s reputation as a unified software provider under its Connected CommerceOps platform.  As part of the Connected CommerceOps suite, retailers will benefit from three core features: connectivity to multiple marketplaces, automation of traditionally time-consuming e-commerce processes, and a centralized repository that combines listings, inventory, orders, and shipments into one single platform.

Prior to joining the company, she held key marketing leadership positions at both Transporeon and Manhattan Associates, where she successfully drove brand recognition and customer engagement through innovative marketing strategies.

Reflecting on her appointment, Georgia Leybourne, Chief Marketing Officer, Linnworks, said:

“Linnworks represents as a market leader for SMBs looking to quickly grow and scale their offering across multiple marketplaces and shipping partners. In addition to simplifying e-commerce retailers’ lives, Linnworks helps them expand their business while driving efficiency within their commerce operations. I am thrilled to join Linnworks at such an exciting time for the company and its customers.”

Chris Timmer, CEO of Linnworks, said: “We are excited to welcome Georgia to our leadership team as we continue to expand our services. Her expertise and impressive track record will bolster our efforts to deliver a unified software platform under the Connected CommerceOps brand.

Chris continued: “We look forward to the innovation and strategic insights Georgia will bring to the company as we embark on this new chapter and offer a comprehensive and multifaceted e-commerce solution for our customers.”

Posted: November 13, 2023

Source: Linnworks

Curved Protectors By RHEON LABS® Drop At Esposizione Internazionale Del Ciclo, Motociclo, Accessori S.p.A. — EICMA ‘23

LONDON, UK — November 13, 2023 — RHEON Labs® is officially introducing a curved protector for motorcycle riders. Previously only released via innovation partner Harley-Davidson, the specialist RHEON™ technology will now be available to the wider motorcycle apparel community.

As well as offering the highest level of protection (Level 2 for impact protection and Type B for area coverage), the curved protectors are super breathable, soft, and lightweight. The secret is RHEON’s superpolymer which has ultra-high energy-absorbing properties. The geometry and pattern of the inserts is designed using a patented algorithm which mimics how cells are packed in nature for a naturally lighter protector, which is manufactured using a unique form of 3D printing.

The technology in the protectors is the same as in the Harley-Davidson ADV & Quest ranges.

“These curved protectors for moto riders are an essential addition to our growing RHEON ™ Armour Collection, and for any moto rider who wants to uplevel their protective gear.” says Paul Farrar from RHEON Labs®.

“Motorcycling has always meant enduring uncomfortable body armour. Being hot and sweaty, with bulky armour has been a given. We decided to fix this age-old problem.”

“Since its founding in 2017, our team has relentlessly pursued innovation to create materials and products that were previously thought impossible. In our collaborations with Harley-Davidson & beyond we have built superior body armour specifically designed for moto riders. This wider launch is the next step in making those superior technical benefits available to the wider riding community.”

Watch out for more RHEON™ launches and real-world testing by well-known riders in the coming season.

RHEON™ technology

Every now and then a new material is developed with a set of properties that were previously thought impossible.

At the core of RHEON™ is an energy-absorbing super polymer. It is soft and flexible in its natural state but absorbs energy by stiffening when subjected to force. It can be integrated into countless products to dissipate high levels of energy or give them unique responsive properties.

Posted: November 13, 2023

Source: RHEON Labs ®

Hyosung, Tefron And Santoni Join Forces To Introduce New Sustainable Activewear And Seamless Apparel At ISPO Munich 2023

SEOUL, South Korea — November 13, 2023 — The world is witnessing a growing demand for sustainable and innovative solutions within the textile and fashion industry. To meet the evolving needs of consumers and the environment, Hyosung is collaborating with two of the leading global seamless companies, Tefron and Santoni, to introduce a new generation of sustainable sportswear and seamless apparel made with its certified and multi-functional yarns.

Hyosung, Tefron, and Santoni will unveil their collaborative product, which aims to set new standards in sustainable activewear and seamless clothing, at ISPO Munich this November 28-30 in Hall A1, Booth 335.

“The collaboration between Tefron, Hyosung, and Santoni presents a winning combination of certified eco-friendly raw materials and innovative production techniques,” said Susie Barak, Business Director, Tefron. “By integrating Tefron’s global one-stop shop expertise in seamless knitting with Hyosung’s creora® Bio-Based yarn, the partnership paves the way for innovative designs and styles that were previously challenging to achieve with traditional materials and manufacturing techniques.”

“We are delighted to team-up with two of the most powerful players in the seamless apparel market,” said Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, Hyosung Global Marketing Director -Textiles. “The benefits of our collaboration are numerous and range from traceable, certified fibres, comfort, and performance to innovative design and versatility.”

To inspire seamless mills and fashion brands, Santoni will introduce its first-ever capsule collection of seamless materials made with Hyosung USDA, SGS-certified creora® Bio-Based elastane, RCS-certified 100% recycled creora® regen elastane, and soft-stretch creora® EasyFlex made on its world-class seamless knitting machines.

At the Santoni ISPO booth, the company will introduce its new SANTONI SM8-TOP2ST machine, a variant of its best-selling SANTONI SM8-TOP2V that allows for the creation of sculptured terry patterns and upgraded seamless designs. Santoni and Hyosung have partnered to create an environmentally friendly and innovative “capsule collection” made with Hyosung USDA, SGS-certified creora® Bio-Based elastane, which will be presented in the Hyosung booth. The collection features terry knitting solutions to produce different padding effects based on higher protection and comfort.

“We are thrilled to unveil our new capsule collection of knits, made with Hyosung’s sustainable fibres, at i alongside Tefron,” said Patrick Silva, Marketing Manager/Business Developer, Santoni. “This joint endeavor aims to illustrate how our dynamic partnership can introduce fresh and innovative seamless solutions to brands’ product offerings.”

Posted: November 13, 2023

Source: Hyosung

Italian Textile Machinery At ITME Africa 2023

MILAN — November 13, 2023 — A delegation of 12 Italian textile machinery manufacturers will be on hand at the ITME Africa trade show, to be held in Nairobi (Kenya) from November 30th to December 2nd 2023. These Italian companies will be exhibiting at the Italian Pavilion, organized by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, and by the Italian Trade Agency.

Kenya’s economy is among the most dynamic in sub-Saharan Africa, with annual GDP growth rates of around 6%. Its textile and garments industry ranks among the Country’s leading economic revenue sources, and is supported by government programs aimed at sustaining growth, as well as international agreements, such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and Kenya, currently in the process of ratification.

The total value of Kenya’s imports of textile machinery reached Euros 24 million in 2022. In the future, demand from local companies will mainly focus on high-end and medium to high-end technology, thus allowing Italian manufacturers to strengthen their market share in Kenya. Currently, Italian imports amount to approximately 4% of total imported machinery technology, for a value of roughly Euros 900 thousands in 2022.

Among the 12 Italian exhibitors the following ones are ACIMIT associated members: Biancalani, Bianco; Danitech, Ferraro, Lgl, Mei, Monti Antonio, Reggiani Macchine, Savio, Stalam and Tomsic.

Posted: November 13, 2023

Source:The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT)

Carrington Textiles’ Stretch Military Ripstop Fabric Recognized With Protective Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) Award

ADLINGTON, UK — November 13, 2023 — Global workwear textile manufacturer, Carrington Textiles, received the Fabric & Fibre Innovation accolade at the Protective Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) Summit and Awards event held in Porto last week for its latest stretch military fabric development.

Hosted by the European Textile Services Association’s (ETSA) Secretary General, Elena Lai, the Fabric & Fibre Innovation Award was presented to Carrington Textiles’ Spartan HT Flex Lite. “A fabric that uniquely combines high-performance durability with exceptional comfort and flexibility. Developed specifically for military applications, Spartan HT Flex Lite provides the optimal balance between robustness and wearability that defence personnel require”, said Elena.

At a weight of 195gsm, Spartan HT Flex Lite is the only product from the Carrington Textiles’ Spartan military ripstop fabric family that incorporates 2% LYCRA® and 37% cotton in its composition for integrated stretch and outstanding wearer comfort. It also features 61% CORDURA® military grade high tenacity nylon 6.6 for strength and durability.

PCIAW event highlights

Carrington Textiles was the Premier Sponsor of this 3-day event, which started with a tour of a series of production facilities including Carrington Textiles’ Portuguese factory, MGC, where visitors learnt about the full manufacturing process and the sustainable technologies implemented at the site to produce the factory’s own steam with natural resources in a carbon neutral way.

Day 2 continued with a summit focusing on industry topics of interest. In his opening speech, Carrington Textiles’ Sales and Marketing Director and member of the PCIAW board, Paul Farrell, said: “It’s exciting for us to be a part of this wonderful event, the first to be held outside of the UK, in the city of Porto. As a founding member of the PCIAW, and Premier Sponsor, it brings me immense pleasure to see our collective vision come to life here in Portugal, which is a place close to our manufacturing heart. This is an important production location for our group, ensuring that we are close to our customers in mainland Europe.

Over the past years, PCIAW® has evolved into a formidable platform, offering its membership and businesses the tools and guidance to thrive. We have also been privileged to leverage this by expanding our own network and making connections both nationally and internationally”, Paul added.

Industry Insights

A series of insightful discussion panels focused on the industry’s burning topics also took place at the event. Carrington Textiles’ Business Strategy Analyst Louise Becart participated in a panel discussing the implications of EU Sustainability, where she explained: “There is currently an industry wide lack of understanding of these regulations. Fortunately, we have transparency throughout our supply chain and work with our customers to help them find the right solutions and provide them with the correct data for them to comply.”

In terms of sustainability, Louise explained that the company sees an increasing demand on sustainability credentials, including in public tenders for the defence sector. Additionally on the topic of microfibre pollution, she added: “We have been working to understand the causes of microfibre shedding. Whilst not conclusive, we found that there was a reduction in shedding by utilising different spinning methods. Data suggests that vortex spun fibres shed less than ring spun. We are now able to include CiCLO technology to polyester during the extrusion phase, so it biodegrades at a rate comparable to natural, cellulosic fibres. This is a strategy to mitigate the problem.”

Supporting future industry talent

Carrington Textiles was also a fabric sponsor of the event’s student design competition, PCA Vision, that took place on day 3 during the awards ceremony.

This year’s winner, Sophie Woodlife, from Manchester Metropolitan University, designed a striking high visibility workwear garment for airport groundcrew, coming in a variety of styles including hoodies and cargo shorts. In her design, Sophie chose Carrington Textiles waterproof fabric, Alaska Pro 2 due to its compliance with EN20471 standards, ideal for keeping air traffic control crew safe. Finalists Megan Dyson used Tomboy black, yellow and saffron colours for her New York Inspired corporatewear, while Connor Read incorporated a mix of the company’s Coolcel 200 Plus, Meridian and Astacon 180S fabrics to build his nature conservationist workwear.

The PCIAW Summit and Awards event and the accolade for Spartan HT Flex Lite, has not only highlighted Carrington Textiles’ pioneering role in fabric innovation and commitment to sustainable manufacturing, but also the company’s dedication to combining technological advancement with wearer comfort and durability.

Posted: November 13, 2023

Source: Carrington Textiles Ltd

The “Shoehorn Method” – Advanced Engineering Tetris For Monforts And Curt Bauer

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — November 13, 2023 — No two textile finishing line orders are ever the same for Monforts, which frequently develops bespoke solutions according to the specific needs of its individual customers.

However, all of the machine builder’s resourcefulness and engineering know-how were called upon to meet the complex and unusual specifications for a recent installation of a new Montex 8500 stenter line at Curt Bauer’s plant in Aue in Germany.

The new Montex 8500 line with a working width of 3.2 metres equipped with the MonforClean heat recovery and exhaust air purification system.

Tradition

Curt Bauer has been in continuous operation for 150 years, beginning as a weaving mill in Aue in the Ore Mountains region of Saxony back in 1882. Today, with 120 employees, the company has an annual production of 2.2 million metres of fabric and specialises in three key fields – home textiles, special damask fabrics for West African garments and technical textiles.

“For bedding, the variety of patterns that can be created by jacquard machines allows very attractive designs with many subtleties to be created and there is no feeling to match sleeping on high quality damask bed linen,” says Gert Bauer, joint managing director of Curt Bauer together with his niece Claudia Bauer.

“For the home textiles sector we develop themed collections allowing various individual products to be combined in high quality, contemporary styles.”

Functional fabrics

The company’s technical textiles business produces functional fabrics that can minimise or completely eliminate the need for later assembly operations, such as fabrics with woven channels into which metal struts can be inserted. These are supplied to a wide number of automotive brands for the fabric cladding of camping van roofs, or cargo cover areas in cars. Another key application is in multi-layer insulating fabrics for the roller blinds of refrigerator counters in supermarkets.

Finishing

Curt Bauer’s finishing department is primarily focused on the special damasks for West African garments and is now unique in being able to meet the requirements of this market. Singeing, bleaching, mercerizing, piece dyeing, finishing and calendering – all possible in widths of up to 3.2 metres – are all central to the success of these special wovens. In addition, the company can dye polyester and fix it before carrying out any further high-level finishing required.

A first Montex stenter was installed by Monforts at the Aue plant in 2003 and an older machine from a third party supplier was also still in operation prior to the latest upgrade.

“The replacement of our older existing stenter, which was installed in 1985, was long overdue,” explains Gert Bauer. “It had a maximum working width of 2.2 metres and we were looking to both increase productivity and reduce energy requirements.”

As a consequence, the company opted for a new Montex 8500 line with a working width of 3.2 metres equipped with the MonforClean heat recovery and exhaust air purification system. The Montex stenter remains unmatched in terms of its robustness and long service life and with MonforClean technology, the waste heat from the drying process is used to pre-heat the drying air. This results in a radical reduction in the conventional heat supply required, compared to full gas and thermal oil heating. Overall energy savings of up to 40% can now be achieved compared to conventional stenters.

Multi-level

The first challenge at the Aue plant was how to fit the significantly larger machine into the available space without restricting the area required for docking operations.

A challenge involved configuring the MonforClean system without having to make any costly changes to the roofing structure.

The special multi-level configuration that Monforts designers and Curt Bauer’s team devised in order to meet these requirements involved raising all of the line’s drying zones – with a combined length of over 28 metres – on scaffolding platforms, to enable the ground floor space below them to continue to be fully utilised.

The next challenge involved configuring the MonforClean system without having to make any costly changes to the roofing structure. This, Gert Bauer observes, demanded “millimetre precision”.

All of the line’s drying zones – with a combined length of over 28 metres – have been raised on platforms to meet space demands.

“The old stenter was dismantled and scrapped while production was ongoing, followed by the immediate installation of the foundations and the erection of the scaffolding for the dryer section,” he explains. “It was a challenging assembly operation, but we mastered it together.”

“We call the design of such customised machine layouts to fit into very confined spaces the shoehorn method,” adds Frank Breuer, technical project manager at Monforts. “It’s almost like playing Tetris.”

With the new line now fully operational, the savings it is providing have yet to be fully calculated.

“I can say that, as expected, the peak load is generally lower than both the stenter it has replaced and the Montex line we installed in 2003, especially in gas consumption,” Gert Bauer says. “The new configurations enabling better drainage of polyester fabrics through suction also help save energy. All in all, we are very satisfied with the new line and would like to thank Monforts very much for the good cooperation.”

Posted: November 13, 2023

Source: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2023 Exhibitor Preview: MS Printing Solutions & JK Group Present Digital Printing Solutions

COMO/VARESE, Italy — November 10, 2023 — MS Printing Solutions & JK Group Pigment Solution reduces CO2 emissions and water consumption in the entire process, it halves printing process steps with chemistry and perfectly manages and reproduces colour charts with an increase in colour yield.

What is this solution made up of?

  • Digistar Pigment 4K, JK Group newest and patent pending digital pigment ink. A new formula which doesn’t require pre- and post-treatment. It reduces digital printing process steps by 50%, water consumption by 100% and energy consumption noticeably*.
  • A completely reengineered JP7, a digital scanning printing machine designed to print pigment with the goal to radically reduce water and energy consumption thanks to newly integrated innovative Tech solutions, namely: Zero-Wastewater Recirculation System, Ink Recirculation, the Nozzle Shooting System and Easy- Clean, the new carriage plate.
  • A new dryer designed ad-hoc for this system. It dries and polymerises on the fly; guaranteeing perfect use conditions, the best achievable control and reduction of CO2 emissions during the entire process, thanks to the reduction of space needed for the manufacturing line in the plant.
  • System Plus Software, the new management software that integrates calibration, printing software and ink for a perfect colour management, assuring a colour yield up to 20% higher, while improving efficiency.

ITMA Asia is the place to find out more about our full range of inks. Our reactive formulas, which stand out for bright colors, excellent washing and rubbing fastnesses – all encapsulated in our eco-responsible BiB (Bag-in-Box), a flexible PE or multilayer plastic bag, sited inside a cardboard. Our disperse formulas, which boast high light fastness, high duration of outdoor exposure and high fastness to rubbing. Our dye-sub formulas, which assure astonishing and vibrant colors, detail accuracy, first-class image quality and unparalleled colour consistency and vibrancy.

ITMA Asia is also a chance to discover our digital printing machines for industrial textile printing. Lario, the first single- pass digital machine in the world; the unique Minilario, one of the world’s fastest scanning machine; the reliable JPK Evo, a high-end reliability industrial printing machine designed for long production runs.

ITMA Asia is where to meet the team. We are eager to meet customers and we are looking forward to answering to their questions concerning our products and the change of our organisational business model. Customers increasingly expect premium quality products and services. We aim to deliver a consistent and seamless experience to them.

* These data come from a study developed by Next Technology Tecnotessile Società Nazionale di Ricerca

Posted: November 10, 2023

Source: MS Printing Solutions & JK Group

Texas Tech University Professor’s Invention Is Part Of Decontamination Advancements By The U.S. Army

LUBBOCK, TX — November 8, 2023 — In a groundbreaking partnership between the United States Army and First Line Technology, recent research findings are poised to usher in a revolutionary shift in decontamination processes. The research, now available to the public, highlights the potential of non-aqueous decontamination technologies, with a particular focus on FiberTect.

“FiberTect has been a powerful decontamination tool that is used globally as the ‘first’ item that a responder would grab to start the decontamination process,” notes Amit Kapoor, President of First Line Technology. “The result from continuous testing only reinforces the technical superiority of FiberTect over other common decontamination tools.”

FiberTect, the patented invention of Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, a professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology at Texas Tech University, was introduced in 2008. It is a three-layer, nonwoven wipe that boasts an activated carbon core sandwiched between absorbent top and bottom layers. These wipes are on the brink of transforming casualty decontamination, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to the prevailing water-based systems. FiberTect has been commercialized by First Line Technology in collaboration with Waco-based Hobbs Bonded Fibers.

Corey Collings, Director of R&D at First Line Technology, underlined the innovation, stating, “Decontamination of dry powders is a new use for FiberTect as it was originally designed for older Cold War-era liquid chemical warfare agents, but new research has shown that on powders its decontamination efficacy exceeds other technologies that have been traditionally used such as HEPA vacuums and adhesive tape.”

In today’s dynamic threat landscape, the continued evaluation of decontamination technologies has become imperative. While World War I primarily saw chemical warfare agents in gaseous or volatile liquid forms, they have evolved over time into persistent, adherent surface liquids. Traditional decontamination methods have proven inadequate for these modern-day challenges. Until the early 2010s, decontamination equipment was largely tailored to counter Cold War-era agents.

In contemporary scenarios, threats often manifest as dry powders, including synthetic opioids like Fentanyl, powdery toxic chemicals such as Russian Fourth-Generation Agents, and weaponized bio-toxins like ricin. These substances primarily pose inhalation hazards, but the use of improper decontamination techniques, such as isopropyl alcohol or high-pH soaps, can expedite skin permeation. Unlike liquid chemicals, these powders maintain their efficacy and persistence across various climates, from cold to hot. Water is effective for removal but poses challenges in cold weather and austere environments, and the runoff associated leads to cross-contamination and secondary hazards.

According to the U.S. Army’s latest findings, FiberTect wipes have demonstrated remarkable efficacy, delivering equivalent performance on both equipment and skin. What truly sets FiberTect apart is its safety for skin use, as it does not increase permeation or harm the stratum corneum, the skin’s outer protective layer. Furthermore, during full-scale operational assessments, a dry decontamination system incorporating FiberTect was found to be “as good as or better than the current water-based system.” These developments have the potential to enhance the safety and effectiveness of military and emergency response operations, with broader implications for public health and various industries.

Posted: November 9, 2023

Source: Jenna McAlister — Texas Tech University — College of Arts & Sciences

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