ALMELO, The Netherlands — January 12, 2011 — TenCate Protective Fabrics USA has achieved a turnover
of TenCate Protective Fabrics USA products in the fourth quarter of 2010 in conformity with the
forecast (approximately US$ 60 million). This means more than a doubling compared to the same
period in 2009. TenCate expects this development to continue at least until the third quarter of
2011. Sales regarding protective fabrics for the US Military in the first quarter of this year will
be at about the same level as in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The United States National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (H.R. 6523) was
signed into law by the US Congress on January 7, 2011. This bill includes additional extension
until 2015 of the existing waiver under the US Berry Amendment as regards the import of
flame-resistant (FR) rayon fibers in the United States. The original exemption would expire in
2013. The US Berry Amendment requires the US Department of Defense to procure textile, food, and
specialty metal products that are manufactured in the United States, including fiber raw materials.
The TenCate Defender™ M product portfolio of TenCate Protective Fabrics USA in Union City
(Georgia, USA) uses a blend of fibers, which includes FR rayon fibers from Lenzing AG of Austria.
The flame-resistant fabrics thus produced for the US military uniforms are entirely produced in the
United States. Herewith TenCate Protective Fabrics USA has created about 10,000 American jobs. A
large number of American suppliers is involved in this production.
The new waiver underlines the strategic importance of this fiber to meet the demand for high
quality flame-resistant fabrics for American uniforms, which offer US soldiers maximum protection.
Moreover, this extended waiver is important for the US textile industry for being capable of
delivering substantial volumes with a high degree of reliability.
Posted on January 25, 2011
Source: Royal Ten Cate
