Innova® Warming American Soldiers in Afghanistan

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Sept. 23, 2002) -- While American military personnel are fighting the war against terrorism, American Fibers and Yarns Company (AF&Y) is fighting the elements of nature on their behalf.

AF&Y’s Innova® high-performance fiber is a leading polyolefin yarn in the apparel industry, particularly useful for skin contact applications where protection from the elements is essential. Because Innova® fibers stay dry and retain body heat better than any other synthetic or natural fiber, it has been specified by the United States military for its Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), a five-layer clothing system for use in extreme environments such as Afghanistan, Alaska and Bosnia.

Innova® thermalwear garments are American-made. They are sewn in workshops operated by NISH, the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped, a nonprofit agency that provides jobs for people with disabilities.

“American Fibers and Yarns Company is proud to be able to support our troops in Afghanistan and around the world,” said Mike Apperson, president and CEO of AF&Y. “Our soldiers have enough to think about as they are protecting our country without having to fight the elements as well. Thermalwear made using Innova® yarn is an ideal solution to keep our service personnel warm and dry as they face harsh climates and unknown terrain every day.”

“Innova® yarn is used in the base layer of the ECWCS because of its moisture-management, insulative and quick-drying properties, all essential elements of a protective clothing system’s skin contact layer,” Apperson explained. “If that base layer doesn’t perform, the other four layers are less effective in protecting the soldiers to keep them dry and warm.”

The five layers of the ECWCS system were engineered by the U.S. Army to perform together. The other layers are absorbent, insulative and water-repellent layers. The skin contact layer must perform or the subsequent layers cannot properly perform their specialized functions.

Several unique properties set Innova® fibers apart from all other natural and synthetic fibers. First, thermalwear using Innova® yarn stays dry because polypropylene fiber is “hydrophobic.” This means that not only does the high-performance fiber not absorb moisture, it actually repels water and perspiration and pushes it to the outside of the garment, facilitating the movement of moisture away from the skin (see insert). Since polypropylenes are breathable, moisture moves away from the skin in the vapor stage, before it has condensed on the skin to create a feeling of clamminess. With this moisture movement process and the fiber’s negligible moisture regain, clothing made with Innova® dries much faster than garments made from natural or other synthetic yarns. In fact, clothing will dry while service personnel are wearing it if necessary.

The Innova® yarn also has the lowest thermal conductivity rating of all natural and synthetic fibers, making it warmer than wool and enabling it to retain heat for a longer length of time. In addition, the knit fabric has been heavily brushed on the inside to create a fleece, which traps even more body heat. In fact, the ECWCS has been approved for use in temperatures as low 60 degrees below zero by the U.S. Army.

Innova®’s combined characteristics make it the ideal fiber for all-season comfort and moisture management in skin-contact fabrics. The fiber’s additional benefits include:

• Light Weight – Innova® fiber is 30 percent lighter than polyester and 20 percent lighter than nylon, making it the lightest-weight yarn available. Regardless of the activity, weight saved means more energy for improved performance. This also creates more bulk and warmth with less weight.
• Ultraviolet Protection – Innova® fibers have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50, the highest rating possible. This rating is achieved without applying topical treatments that can wear off after repeated use. Instead, Innova® yarns offer UPF protection for the life of a garment.
• Odor Resistant – This is especially important for members of the military who may not have regular access to laundry facilities. In addition, Innova® fiber resists damage and staining resulting from perspiration.
• Abrasion Resistant – Innova® yarn is abrasion resistant, even in pressure points where clothing tends to wear out first. Innova® meets all industry standards for durability.
• Chemical Resistant – Most chemicals will not harm Innova® fiber, including chlorine bleach.
• Mold and Mildew Resistant – Bacteria will not damage Innova® fiber. Innova® yarn naturally repels molds and mildew.
• Colorfast – AF&Y builds color into the fiber, making it colorfast. Unlike conventionally dyed fabrics, it will never fade, even after multiple washings.
• Easy Care – Garments made using Innova®“ yarn are machine washable in warm or hot water. They can be dried on a low setting or will line dry in minutes.

The same thermalwear produced for the U.S. Army using Innova® yarn is also sold in commercial retail markets. The product is found in catalogs and sporting goods stores for outdoor enthusiasts including Cabella’s, Bass Pro Shops, and G.I. Joe’s. Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Target also carry the product. Duofold brands its high-quality products for sale in specialty sporting goods stores. Innova® yarns are also used in knitted and woven active wear, dive and surf wear, and running and cycling apparel.

American Fibers & Yarns Company is a premier supplier of synthetic filament yarn to the home furnishings, contract, hospitality, apparel, automotive and industrial markets. AF&Y began as Phillips Fibers Corporation, a subsidiary of Phillips Petroleum Company. In 1993, Amoco Fabrics and Fibers Corporation, a subsidiary of Amoco Oil Corporation, purchased Phillips Fibers Corporation. The combined companies became the largest U.S. supplier of polypropylene filament yarns, staple fiber, needle punch non-wovens and carpet backing. In 1999, Amoco Fabrics and Fibers Corporation sold the fibers division to a private equity firm, Monitor Clipper Partners of Cambridge, Mass. The company is now headquartered in Chapel Hill, N.C. For more information, visit our Internet site, www.afyarns.com.