Netherlands headquartered technical textiles giant TenCate has launched a range of inherently flame resistant (FR) knitted fabrics to compliment its well known patent pending TenCate Tecasafe Plus protective woven fabrics.

In an ongoing effort to engineer protective products with high performance and ease of wear, the company says it is introducing TenCate Tecasafe Plus knits which will be offered in jersey knits and piqué knits to give FR fabrics even greater comfort and a more casual look and feel.

According to TenCate, serving as base-layer and outer-layer shirting fabric, TenCate Tecasafe Plus knits will provide a system of fabrics that can be used in conjunction to provide maximum arc flash protection.

More comfortable uniforms

TenCate says the knitted fabrics will additionally provide protection against flash fire hazards and provide a more comfortable choice for professionals in uniform. TenCate Tecasafe Plus knits are also said to be on demand designed and differ from competing FR knits in that they can stand up to repeated industrial laundering.

According to TenCate, the global demand for TenCate Tecasafe Plus is increasing because end-users are looking for the most economic protection in combination with outstanding performance, comfort and quality of FR fabrics.

"The TenCate Tecasafe Plus product portfolio has been successful in reaching various markets and continues to break new ground as it achieves new adoptions in programs, also in new geographical markets," the company said yesterday.

TenCate Tecasafe Plus is the company's second largest product after TenCate Defender M, a well established woven FR fabric used by US military forces.

 Emerging markets for FR fabrics

"Emerging markets are in general receptive for innovations. As a consequence TenCate Tecasafe Plus has been well received in various new markets such as South America, Asia and Australia. To answer the need for superior FR fabrics in Southeast Asia, TenCate Protective Fabrics has built inventories there to ensure that the product will be readily available. TenCate has also added personnel in Asia to ensure a high level of personal customer attention," the company said.

 Australia is also said to have added to the rapid growth of TenCate Tecasafe Plus as the product becomes more popular in the FR industry there.

Increased brand awareness

TenCate says that with millions of yards already sold this year, TenCate Tecasafe Plus has seen increasing market share especially in South America where the TenCate Tecasafe Plus portfolio has proven very popular by offering an alternative to more traditional FR fabrics, and in a wide range of colours and weights.

 "Under the current market environment end-users especially look for the most economic solution. The combination of materials in TenCate Tecasafe Plus fabrics result in both a multi-risk / high performance approach at a much favourable price compared to more traditional alternatives. Besides in the defence market the TenCate brand is now also well recognized in industrial and institutional markets," the company said.