TEXTILES.ORG
The IJsselland and northeast Gelderland fire brigades in the Netherlands have chosen the superior protection of inherently heat and flame-resistant materials from TenCate Protective Fabrics. The orders, totaling 1,850 uniforms, are from two European contracts.
TenCate has developed new protective fabrics that provide permanent protection as well as a high degree of wearing comfort and quality. Together with its European partners, TenCate Protective Fabrics is applying its expertise to increase the standard of protection of firefighters in other geographic markets. TenCate recently secured a major order for the Amsterdam-Amstelland fire brigade in the Netherlands. Successes in this market have also recently been achieved outside the Netherlands.
The security region of IJsselland in the Netherlands has chosen firefighter suits from the Dutch clothing manufacturer PWG Bedrijfsveilige Kleding BV. This company will use protective fabric from TenCate Protective Fabrics to produce approximately 1,200 uniforms. A combination of favorable price and performance was a major consideration when awarding the contract.
“The TenCate material to be used will mainly be the inherently heat and flame-resistant fabric Millenia Light™, MI 9180, from the TenCate Tecashield® collection,” says Karin Klein Hesselink, end-use market manager at TenCate Protective Fabrics. “This is the strongest and lightest outer fabric that is available on the market, and it offers the greatest protection against heat, fire and mechanical stress. At the same time, it provides protection against chemicals and water, thus delivering a unique performance. Firefighters who are confronted during their operations with a flash-over continue to enjoy optimal protection. Even when the material is exposed to intense heat and fire, it will not break open. This safe firefighting uniform allows the emergency worker to withdraw from such high-risk working conditions.”
The order for approximately 650 uniforms from the northeast Gelderland security region in the Netherlands was awarded to Dutch clothing manufacturer ICON Protect BV. Comfort, quality and lifespan costs were main considerations taken into account when awarding the contract. Breathability was a particularly important consideration as it is essential for regulating the perspiration that occurs due to intense heat. The integrated system of TenCate Protective Fabrics, with Millenia Light™ as outer fabric, provides a high degree of breathability and comfort. Thanks to its many years of experience in materials technology, TenCate is able to combine a range of characteristics to provide this optimal solution.
“This system was developed on the basis of cutting-edge technology, for the outer shell and the thermal protective moisture barrier as well as the lining,” says Hesselink about the TenCate Tecasystem™ Millenia 450. “This also includes the wear-resistant reinforcement inserts for knees and elbows. All this guarantees maximum commitment by firefighters. Each component of the system developed by TenCate has specific characteristics to provide optimal thermal protection, moisture regulation, breathability, durability, versatility and ease of maintenance.”
TenCate Protective Fabrics is the global leader in the development, production and marketing of protective and safety fabrics for industry, services, firefighting and defense. TenCate Protective Fabrics has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.
Royal Ten Cate NV (TenCate) is a multinational company that combines textile technology with chemical processes and material technology in the development and production of functional materials with distinctive characteristics. TenCate products are sold throughout the world. TenCate occupies leading positions in protective fabrics, composites for space and aerospace, antiballistics, geosynthetics and synthetic turf.