ADLINGTON, United Kingdom — September 20, 2022 — Pincroft, the largest textile dyer, printer and finisher in the United Kingdom, developed a new camouflage pattern for the Dutch Ministry of Defence as part of their Defensie Materieel Organisatie’s (DMO) ‘STRONG’ programme that aims to supply combat clothing and equipment to all military personnel part of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Army, Air Force and Marechaussee.
Pincroft followed the guidelines of the new Netherlands Fractal Pattern (NFP) to create an eight-colour camouflage design that provides high levels of disruption to give soldiers better concealment when needed.
As part of the Pincroft’s team developing the camouflage pattern, Chris Durkin, explains: “The more colours are added to the design, the more disruption is created offering a greater degree of concealment. Our experience in Infrared Reflective Technology (IRR) and military printing has allowed us the opportunity to produce a product that we are very proud of.”
The fabric itself was created by global workwear textile manufacturer, Carrington Textiles, specifically following the Dutch MoD’s requirements on comfort and protection. The result is a lightweight yet durable textile of 210gsm with a composition of 50% cotton, 50% high tenacity nylon and Ripstop for added strength.
The high cotton content of the fabric creates a uniform that’s comfortable to wear due to its softness to the touch, and breathability, as well as providing moisture wicking properties, key elements for the tough conditions soldiers work in. The addition of high tenacity nylon to the fabric, provides added strength and durability, with the Ripstop properties of the fabric offering tear resistance.
The Dutch MoD’s DMO reported: “The 43 Gemechaniseerde Brigade of the Koninklijke Landmacht in Havelte was the first to receive the new interim combat clothing. The soldiers received the basic coats and trousers in the new camouflage pattern. This is the start of the large-scale issue to the entire armed forces! So far we are very proud with the results.”
Around 480,000 trousers and jackets will be delivered to officers from the Royal Netherlands Navy, Army, Air Force and Marechaussee, during a uniform roll out part of the Dutch MoD’s ‘STRONG’ programme that aims to equip the armed forces in the next 18 months with versatile uniforms and equipment that are adjustable according to the assignment. The pack also includes a raincoat, combat shirt and baseball cap.
The new NFP camouflage pattern is being manufactured in a green or woodland style for the Army, Air Force, Marechaussee and Marines, while the Navy receives a blue or marine style design.
Carrington Textiles Sales Director, Paul Farrel, added: “We were honoured to receive from the Dutch MoD a regimental plaque to commemorate the launch of their new uniform and recognise the work we’ve done in developing this new fabric and print.
This milestone marked the beginning of the issuance of a new uniform to the Dutch armed forces.
Congratulations to the DMO’s KPU company for all their hard work and immense achievements, and to everyone at Pincroft and Carrington Textiles for playing a key role in the delivery of this transformational uniform!”
The Netherlands do not have half a million soldiers. Total military personnel inc reserves is 50000.
Where is Hyde Definition in this? They are the UK experts in camo…
This article is misleading / wrong
NFP has been developed by TNO and the Dutch Ministry of Defence around 2008 – 2012.
Not by Pincroft
It’s about the fabric.
“To Wear Camouflage Fabric”….
Reading comprehension matters.
The title seems right
The first sentence however is not:
“Pincroft, the largest textile dyer, printer and finisher in the United Kingdom, developed a new camouflage pattern for the Dutch Ministry of Defence …”
Fair point, but in the textile world transferring a camouflage pattern from an image on paper or a computer screen, to getting its shapes and colors properly set and reproduced to spec on cloth is in fact termed “development”. So technically that’s an accurate statement. I can see how it could be confusing to folks who aren’t in the industry however.
the creation of PenCott printed fabric was originally developed with Pincroft…
I still find it interesting that the uniforms for modern armed forces aren’t flame resistant by default.
These uniforms are nothing but a NFP variant of the good old BDU (that our marines still wear). The need for the new colors was high as the equipment is already rolling out and our current DPM uniform is really outdated, but the final design of the combat uniform still isn’t ready. This probably will be fielded in 2024. So, this option was found as an interim solution. As for FR properties, it is expected that the new final uniform will have it (to some degree) .