Lenzing is to continue to supply flame-resistant specialty fibres for a new generation of U.S. Army combat uniforms with the signature of U.S. President Obama formally approving the National Defense Authorization Act enabling the delivery of TenCate Defender M uniform fabrics for an unlimited period of time (permanent waiver) on 31 December 2011.

The key component included Defender M fabric is the heat protection fibre Lenzing FR from Austrian company Lenzing. In principle, only clothing products Made in USA are allowed for the U.S. Army. Up until now, fabrics made from Lenzing FR fibres were supplied on the basis of a limited exemption granted in 2008.

Lenzing exports flame-resistant fibres from Austria to its American partner TenCate Protective Fabrics (TenCate), a leading manufacturer of flame-resistant fabrics for the U.S. Armed Forces. The President's signature approving the waiver now allows Lenzing to make the required volumes of the Lenzing FR fibre available to the U.S. Army without restriction in the future.

Advantages of Lenzing FR

Defender M uniform fabric meets the enhanced need of U.S. soldiers for flame and fire protection related to the rise in attacks using unconventional explosive and burning devices.

"In contrast to other fibres, Lenzing FR not only offers the stipulated flame and heat protection properties, but also comfort and good breathability and last but not least, the fast and reliable delivery capability of sufficient quantities on an industrial scale. The close cooperation of TenCate and Lenzing combines excellence in the fabric development and production of flame-resistant fibres," Lenzing says.

"TenCate Defender M fabric with Lenzing FR fibre offers superior protection and the high wearing comfort of conventional non-protective fabrics," the company adds.

In August 2007 TenCate was officially commended by the United States Marine Corps for superior excellence in delivering an outstanding level of quality in its products and services in response to the demands of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Lenzing Group is an international group of companies with headquarters in Austria, production sites in all major markets and a global network of sales and marketing offices. Lenzing provides the global textile and nonwovens industry with high-quality man-made cellulose fibres based on the renewable resource wood.