Horizon Laminate is a collaboration between British Tactical and Flimmuur Tactical. Patented, it’s seen here in the construction of British Tactical’s MagPI line of pouches.
They’ve managed to save weight by transitioning from a Kydex retention system to using Curv as a stiffener which facilitates retention. Curv is lighter and easier to cut meaning it can be scored and folded in order to created strong shapes.
Adept Armor is a US company that specializes in ballistic armor innovation like their NovaSteel Ballistic Buckler.
They took the opportunity of Enforce Tac to preview their latest product, a hard armor plate that replaces the ceramic strike face with treated glass. The result is both weight and cost savings. We should have some definitive ballistic performance and weight data soon.
Spartanburg, SC (Feb. 22, 2023) – The Textile Business of global manufacturer Milliken & Company announced it has successfully eliminated all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, from its textile fibers and finishes portfolio, becoming the first U.S.-based multi-market textile manufacturer to remove PFAS.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment and tribute to our team who worked around the clock to develop solutions that meet our customers’ performance requirements and reflect our purpose to positively impact the world for future generations,” said David Smith, executive vice president, Milliken & Company, and president, Milliken’s Textile Business.
The manufacturer announced in February 2022 an aggressive plan to eliminate PFAS as an ingredient in its textile portfolio by the end of the year. As of Dec. 31, 2022, the Textile Business at Milliken had removed PFAS-based finishes and fibers, which spans multiple industries including flame-resistant, military, uniform and decor fabrics.
Milliken’s Textile Business began evaluating its portfolio in 2020 and segmented its evaluation efforts between three areas of focus: durable water repellency (DWR), soil release and oil repellency. Alternative DWR solutions were readily available in the market through accredited organizations such as bluesign®. The Milliken research team assessed and implemented appropriate alternatives to maintain the performance and quality standards customers expect for DWR.
Soil repellency proved to be both a challenge and an opportunity for the Textile Business. Working with Milliken’s internal research team, a new soil release technology was developed and integrated into suitable textile applications without PFAS as an ingredient. The new technology, proprietary to Milliken & Company, has shown equivalent and, in some cases, superior performance to previous PFAS-containing finishes. Currently, the new technology is not an alternative to every soil-repellent finish application. After an extensive search and vetting process for alternative oil repellency, no alternative was found, and the company exited those lines of business as a result.
“Our work was intricate, and our team, including research and development, sourcing, compliance, sales, and many other functions, approached this initiative thoughtfully and with great care for our customers,” added Jeff Strahan, Ph.D., director of sustainability, compliance and research for the Textile Business. “We’re thrilled to be leading the industry in taking meaningful action that will have an immediate impact.”
Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Milliken no longer treats textiles with PFAS chemistry. This achievement follows Milliken’s recent announcement that its science-based net-zero targets were approved by the U.N.-backed Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Uniform & Equipment Solutions Take Center Stage At ENFORCE TAC ‘23
Kennesaw, GA, USA – Feb 24, 2023 Kennesaw, GA, USA Set to propel and underscore its commitment to best-in-class solution-dyed nylon 6,6 fiber technology innovation as well as developing the durable, sustainable fabric solutions of tomorrow; INVISTA’s CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics will focus on responsible uniform solutions, and military and tactical equipment, tailored to the EU market at this year’s ENFORCE TAC. Join the CORDURA® team for Happy Hour on February 28 at 16:30, booth #8-218 hall 8.
The CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics comprehensive, global, head-to-toe military, tactical and law enforcement portfolio will showcase:
• CORDURA® NYCO Fabric has a 3-5x slower flame spread versus polyester/cotton alternatives.* 50/50 CORDURA NYCO Fabric outperformed heavier weight Poly/Cotton Military fabrics in Abrasion Resistance testing.**
• CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric Solution Dyed Nylon 6,6 (SDN) provides unparalleled lot-to-lot color consistency plus long-lasting color durability and Stewardship benefits; now available in Navy Blue and a palate of 7 military colors.
• CORDURA re/cor™ RN66 The brand’s latest fabric made from 100 percent post-industrial nylon 6,6 fiber material that is Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified.
Also on display will be a full collection of lightweight, breathable, quick dry, head-to-toe mission critical performance fabrics including CORDURA® Classic Fabric.
The CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics global military, law enforcement and tactical applications include: Combat Uniforms, Ballistic Vests, Packs, Load Carriage, Webbing and Trims, Footwear, Base Layer, Combat Shirts, Headwear, Seat Covers and many more.
Erik Walker CORDURA® Global Military Segment leader explains:
“Throughout our 55-year brand journey, we’ve worked to establish a foundation built on durable and long-lasting fiber technologies, including our legacy of solution dyed, high-performance nylon 6,6 offerings. As we advance on this journey, we continue to invest and expand our capabilities to include solutions that are not only durable but lead down the path to sustainability. We continue listening to the demands of the market; identifying unmet needs, solving problems, and utilizing innovation to create cutting-edge solutions to meet the ever changing needs of global militaries and law enforcement.“
David Gatti CORDURA® Military and Tactical European Business Manager added:
“At CORDURA® brand we know life in law enforcement, military or with a tactical unit can be demanding. So, we develop fabrics specifically designed for combat uniforms. Engineered to be comfortable even in the most challenging conditions; fabrics that are tough, versatile and engineered to excel in the field. We continue to push the boundaries of durable fabric development to meet the physical and environmental demands of combat and tactical life.”
More about CORDURA® brand innovations in focus at ENFORCE TAC:
CORDURA® NYCO Fabric – Comfort of cotton with enhanced durability
Originally designed as a rugged, lightweight comfort solution for military combat uniforms, durable CORDURA® NYCO Fabric is engineered with an intimate blend of INVISTA T420 nylon 6,6 staple fiber and delivers enhanced abrasion and tear resistance, ‘No Melt No Drip*** performance and 3-5x slower flame spread* versus equivalent weight polyester/cotton. CORDURA® NYCO Fabric Extreme based on INVISTA T420HT high tenacity fiber technology has a mission to create a new generation of durable, yet even lighter weight fabrics.
CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric – Responsible fabrics with locked-in color
CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric is engineered with high-tenacity nylon 6,6 multi-filament fiber that locks in the color at the molten polymer extrusion level to create deep, durable color throughout the entire fiber structure. CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric has excellent color fastness, UV-fade and abrasion resistance, extended UV strength stability, and long-lasting color vibrancy. Color consistency is crucial when pairing fabric with other materials such as webbing and elastic to create uniform garments and gear. Additionally, compared to conventional level acid piece dyeing, the process used to make CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric uses less water, energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases****.
CORDURA® TrueLock™ Fabrics are already available in Navy Blue, Desert Sand, Tan-499, Coyote-498, Ranger Green, Camo Green-483, Wolf Gray and Black . End-uses include bags, load carriage, and reinforcements as well as use in responsible webbings and trims.
CORDURA re/cor™ Fabric RN66 – ‘Expect More, Waste Less’
The new recycled nylon 6,6 (RN66) collection is ‘durable, responsible and innovated to last.’ CORDURA re/cor™ RN66 fabric is made from 100 percent post-industrial fiber material that is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified and can be produced in a full range of mil-spec colors.
CORDURA® Classic Fabric
The original CORDURA® fabric made with a cotton duck appearance optimized for abrasion resistance.
Designed for living and built to last, the original durable CORDURA® fabric has proven performance in many of the world’s toughest environments. Made with high tenacity air jet textured nylon 6,6 filament yarns in a range of sizes – 330, 500, 700, and 1000 dtex.
*Flame Spread rate as measured according to ISO 6941.
**ISO 12947-2 (woolen abradant, 12 kPa) after 5 home laundering cycles at 60°C
***No Melt, No Drip Performance based on ASTM 6413.
****2013 LCA study based on the average comparison of conventional level acid Piece Dyeing to SDN at 3 independent/3rd party dyeing and finishing mills.
Learn more at cordura.com/military.
Pooler, GA – Blue Force Gear®, the leading provider of high-quality tactical gear, is proud to announce expanded capacity for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services to include Helium Whisper® licensing and textile laser cutting.
The company is now offering OEM services for its proprietary coated fabric ULTRAcomp®, a proprietary material that is lightweight, abrasion-resistant, hydrophobic, and reduces IR signatures. ULTRAcomp can be used in a variety of applications, including bags, holsters, pouches, and other load-carriage applications. ULTRAcomp is now available to manufacturers looking to create their own products using this innovative material.
In addition to OEM services, Blue Force Gear is also licensing their patented Helium Whisper attachment system, the next generation of MOLLE-compatible attachment. The Helium Whisper system offers a low profile and significant weight savings compared to traditional MOLLE attachments, making it ideal for tactical gear applications. With this licensing agreement, manufacturers can incorporate Helium Whisper into their own products, bringing their customers the benefits of this innovative technology.
Finally, Blue Force Gear now offers textile laser cutting services, using state-of-the-art technology to cut various materials with precision and efficiency, including ULTRAcomp and other high-performance textiles. This new service provides manufacturers with a convenient and cost-effective way to produce their products, reducing lead times and improving overall efficiency.
“We are excited to expand our OEM capacity to allow more manufacturers to have access to ULTRAcomp roll-goods and laser cutting.” said Jay Duncan, Senior Director of Sales for Blue Force Gear. “By offering these services, we provide our customers with a complete solution for all their tactical gear needs, from design and development to production and delivery.”
For more information about Blue Force Gear and their new OEM, licensing, and textile laser cutting services, please email oem@blueforcegear.com.
Adlington, United Kingdom: Global Textile manufacturer, Carrington Textiles, is set for its first appearance at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) taking place in Abu Dhabi in February, where the company will be unveiling some of their latest innovations in military textiles.
After announcing their development of a fabric and pattern in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Defence, Carrington Textiles is showcasing a brand-new product as part of their Defence Range.
The new Spartan HT Flex Lite fabric is a lightweight textile that features military grade INVISTA T420 nylon 6.6 staple fibre to be light yet strong. It offers integrated stretch properties thanks to its LYCRA® composition, and the comfort of cotton.
The company has also revealed the launch of their new camouflage print concept called Night Stealth Camo, created for military special operations carried out in the dark. Night Stealth Camo incorporates infra-red signatures of printed camouflages when viewed under night vision devices, but in normal daylight appears as a black dyed fabric.
Carrington Textiles’ Sales Director, Paul Farrell, says: “We are pleased to be attending our very first IDEX in 2023 with these outstanding military propositions. Night Stealth Camo is a concept unique in the market that has already received great feedback from partners. The same for our new Spartan HT Flex Lite fabric which offers the stretch properties, comfort and durability our customers in the armed forces are currently looking for.”
Carrington Textiles will be exhibiting at IDEX from the 20th until the 24th February in stand 04-A23.
Coming Soon! VELCRO Brand products in Vietnam Tiger Stripe will be available in various widths. Ideal for tactical apparel, shelters, load bearing equipment, ballistic protection and more! Made in USA and Berry Compliant.
Contact your OSI Sales Rep for pricing and stocking information.
Spiritus Systems has released this statement regarding their use of Tegris material.
Our product refinement process never dies. This week we are phasing in updates to a few of our products that use Milliken Thermoplastic Composite Tegris. This ballistic material is used as a semi-rigid framework for a lot of our load-bearing components. It’s the hard carbon fiber-esque material on products like the Thing 2 and MOLLE Back Panel. It’s bomb-proof, light, and easy to maintain.
Until now, we used two color variations (coyote laminate and raw uncoated). Moving forward we’re going to be implementing a NIR-neutral black laminate to replace the raw, uncoated, color variant. This new laminate coating is the first of its kind and was developed in partnership with our supplier. It gets rid of the exposed silver weave and has a NIR signature profile that won’t give you away under NODs.
Spiritus Systems products are always under the microscope, no matter how established they are. We’re constantly poking, prodding, testing, and scrutinizing materials and design choices to find incremental improvements. Over time, these really add up, and it’s a big reason why so many of our systems are the go-to option for people who depend on the gear.
