FECSA Fabrica Española de Confecciones S.A.

R&D&I

FECSA's consolidation and future prospects are based on the development of new products and comprehensive services which enable it not only to cover existing market demands, but also to anticipate future approaches.

The relationship between FECSA's various departments and its laboratories contributes to the development of state-of-the-art textile solutions. The fundamental objective of these laboratories is to confirm the quality of raw materials. They have complex technical equipment for evaluating colour, waterproof properties, mechanical and structural aspects, ballistics, strength, fastness, etc.

Its strategy is based on two lines of action:

• Development of new raw materials: components and fabrics with ever more technical compositions and treatments (new fibre mixtures, waterproof and breathable, fire resistant and infrared membranes, nuclear, biological and chemical, bullet and shrapnel-proof fabrics, microfibres, thermal fabrics, nanotechnology, etc).
• Development of new products: updating conventional garments by improving performance with innovative designs and adapting technological advances from other sectors in its products.

FECSA collaborates directly with its suppliers throughout the development process for articles, from conception, design and studying raw materials, both in its own and accredited laboratories (AITEX, LEITAT, TNO, IFTH, HOHENSTEIN, INEXCOP, IBV, etc) , up to final production.

Given the scale of the markets in which FECSA is involved, the lines of research for developing new raw materials and products are organised into several research areas such as:

WEATHERPROOFING

FECSA has committed itself to working towards constantly developing membranes on various textile supports - woven, knitted and/or fleece.

Experimenting with new membranes which have recently appeared in the market enables it to guarantee high performance as regards comfort, lightness and breathability. The aim is to offer a fabric with a pleasant feel which is resistant to prolonged exposure to extreme conditions and to give a compatible relationship between maximum breathability and waterproofness (search for solutions with Ret < 4 and water column > 10 m).

FECSA has demonstrated the greatest concern for optimising and improving the tailoring of waterproof garments by means of the use of and the search for optimal conditions for thermal welding of 2, 2.5 and 3 layers of waterproof tapes.

PROTECTION AGAINST THE COLD

One of the greatest challenges in protecting against the cold is achieving a balance between thermal comfort, weight and breathability. FECSA works on the development of new synthetic fibres and finishing systems capable of achieving high thermal insulation without this involving loss of comfort.

The following lines of research stand out among our developments:

• Fleece garments with high thermal performance (Rct, according to ISO 11092)
• Multi-loading systems with padding for thermal protection during sleep. Model studied for outside temperatures of down to -35 C
• Combined solutions for cold + barrier against the wind (Wind Stopper)
• Four season sleeping bags for extreme climate conditions (bags with thermal solutions using synthetic fibres capable of guarantees for conditions of below -35ºC)

NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL PROTECTION

Development of permeable protection solutions for chemical warfare, against blister and neurotoxic type agents in liquid gaseous and aerosol states (mustard gas, Soman, etc.) in accordance with STANAG and the NATO TRIPTYCH.

FECSA is currently working on the development of multilayer solutions using different technologies to guarantee a good balance between comfort, minimum thermal stress, high protection and maximum durability. Among the main technologies employed are impregnated foams, activated carbon microspheres and carbonised/activated fabrics.

FIRE PROTECTION

Research into fabrics and multilayer solutions has enabled FECSA to characterise the various materials on the market and those newly created to design multilayer solutions capable of providing protection in line with the requirements laid down in the various PPE certification standards such as EN 531, EN 532, EN 533, EN 469 for Fire Fighters, etc.

Fabrics based on aerogels are currently under study, offering high fire-resistance performance thanks to their air content, considered the best insulator in existence.

BALLISTIC PROTECTION

Ballistic protection represents one of the greatest challenges to research as it is not simply a matter of using high modulus materials. The study and use of antitrauma materials and padding systems enables optimisation of solution performance.

FECSA has developed a wide range of solutions with combined protection capabilities against different types of munitions (9 mm PARABELLUM, 345 Magnum, 44 Magnum and others with high perforation capability), fragments and bladed weapons.

Although each solution is certified according to the requirements laid down by each client, the main standards used are STANAG 2920 (fragments) and NIJ regulations.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

FECSA is heavily involved in the policy of subsidies and aids for R&D&I promoted by various administrative entities (the EEC, Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce, ERDF, the Madrid Development Institute, etc), managing and carrying out projects to boost its research in each of its business lines, always with the most prestigious Spanish and international technological centres.