Read the links above in a previous post about NOMEX.
5-11-16
5th November Ann.
Perth, Australia and Washington, D.C. – 5 November 2016 -- On the heels of meeting with senior personnel at United States Marine Corps Systems Command to discuss next generation flame retardant military uniforms, Alexium International Group Limited (“Alexium,” “the Company”) (ASX:AJX, OTC QX:AXXIY) is pleased to announce that it recently furnished the Marines samples of Corps approved uniform fabric treated with Alexium's environmentally friendly flame retardant chemistry along with independent testing data.
These samples will now be evaluated by technology and procurement specialists at the Infantry Combat Equipment (ICE) division of the Marine Corps, which has the task of ensuring the uniforms worn by the Marines are safe and effective.
"Much like the consumer market, the military market has reacted to the serious health risks, both to personnel and the environment, of using dangerous, outdated flame retardant chemistry. When we met with the Marines, they immediately requested data and samples of their preferred fabric treated with our innovative FR chemistry, and we are pleased to deliver on that request and to have our product evaluated against the most stringent specifications," said Alexium CEO Nicholas Clark. "With our continued work with the Army, working closely with the Marine Corps is a natural step for Alexium to take, and I have every confidence that after evaluation, Alexium will play a vital role to help protect these brave men and women who serve," added Clark.
Marine Corps Systems Command and the Army’s Program Executive Office - Soldier have been collaborating to develop, test and deliver ever-better capabilities for Marines and Soldiers. These acquisition professionals are tasked to ensure uniforms and personal protective equipment are safe and effective. This effort is ongoing, and flame resistant uniforms and protective materials was listed as a top priority for this group in September, and Alexium has been well received since the initial discussion began.
Alexium President, Dirk Van Hyning added "Expanding our efforts with the United States military has always been a goal of Alexium, and this advances that effort in a significant way. Alexium first targeted producing an eco-friendly FR nylon-cotton twill product for the Marines over two years ago and our significant progress toward a finished, ready- to-go uniform fabric was clear to the Marines, as evidenced by the request for data and samples Alexium has provided. This is an exciting complementary effort to our work with the Army."
Marines will soon be issued new fire-resistant utility blouses and pants made from material twice as durable as what they currently use.
The uniform pieces, part of the Corps’ Enhance Fire Resistant Combat Ensemble, are made with a new flame-resistant material designed to allow the uniform to self-extinguish if it comes into contact with fire. While the fabric is just as durable as the treated material that is currently used, it lasts longer, according to officials with Marine Corps Systems Command. The fabric, officials said, is a blend of cotton, nylon, and meta-aramid, a material resistant to high heat and chemical degradation.
Meta-aramid is the material used in NOMEX, the Dupont-made flame-resistant material used in many firefighters’ uniforms.
In addition to durability, the EFRCE combat shirt was also slightly redesigned so it fit more easily under the more recent generation of Marine Corps plate carrier body armor, officials said.
The new gear is the result of a lengthy search. The Marine Corps first issued a pre-solicitation for the uniform items in desert, woodland and coyote patterns and colors in early 2014. Since the Marine Corps collaborated with the Navy to create the new uniform updates, they will also be manufactured in Navy Working Uniform Type II and Type III desert and woodland patterns.
Along with a balaclava, gloves, and an inclement weather combat shirt, uniform items make up the Marine Corps’ Flame Resistant Organization Gear system, also know as the FROG suit.
While the blouses and pants will be added to existing Marine Corps inventory by the end of this fiscal year and issued to Marines after the current supplies run out, sailors will receive them as they deploy. Troops assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Naval Special Warfare Command will receive the new gear before deployments, officials with SYSCOM said. Ultimately, some 70,000 sets of flame-resistant uniforms are planned for production.
