PPE: MATERIALS, MACHINERY AND TECHNIQUES FOR THEIR PRODUCTION Jean FOURNIER Managing Director of Kermel Company motors, transformers etc. submitted to high temperature conditions. More recently, Kermel has launched SKEED®, a new brand for a range of non- flammable underwear and garments in high speed sports. SKEED® garments are made out from Kermel® fibres and offer many advantages to automobile drivers and motorcyclists: fire protection, protection against heat and against the risk of burns, and cold protection for racers and for winter sports. What novelties will Kermel showcase during the coming edition of A+A? For the Fire fighters in France, Kermel has launched fire suits made out of Kermel H66 fabrics. Kermel H66 is a unique outer shell fabric that delivers unrivalled levels of performance for the wearer. This fabric was already chosen by the Barcelona fire fighters and by other fire brigades in Spain, but it is the first time in France that French fire fighters have been equipped with this extremely tough fabric. Working together with one of our weaving partners, we have also developed an innovative product that directly meets the expectations of law enforcement officers working in the field. The Stretch Kermel® textile base, both elastic and thermostable, provides the right balance between Comfort/Safety and Aesthetics, while offering a high level of mechanical and technical performance. Stretch Kermel® may be printed with any kind of camouflage. It is highly resistant to abrasion, thus preserving performance in terms of infrared reflection. Stretch Kermel® may be used in fashioning an entire garment, or simply specific parts thereof. Kermel will present a new flight coverall for the military market. It will also be displayed at the Milipol show in Paris, held in the same time as A+A. At A+A you will also showcase novelties for industrial use Yes. We have several innovations to present at A+A. Our innovative jeanswear “Kermel Denim” combines non-flammability, comfort and durability with a new design. It is dedicated to industrial workers working in high-risk environment: petrochemical industries, electrical and gas utilities. Kermel® Denim meets the requirements of ASTMF-1506, CGSB 155.20 and of course NFPA 70E Class 2, IEC 61482-1-2, IEC 61482-1-1 and ISO 11612. Kermel has reached new levels of protection for welding application thanks to its range of Weldstar® Professional fabrics. We have also developed high visibility (EN471) Kermel® fabrics for high risk situations, all inherently non-flammable but with chemical, electric arc, static, welding and UV protection. “Innovation, GEOGRAPHICAL DIVERSIFICATION and new markets, are our challenges today” INTERVIEW JEAN FOURNIER Jean Fournier is the new Managing Director of Kermel Company since June 6th last while Mr. Markus Schwyn has taken over the role of Chairman at Kermel, while Mr. Venkatesh Tulluri has become Chairman of the Kermel Holding Company. Our publication interviewed this Doctor in Physics with a solid background in this sector, to learn about his company’s plans and his own. How did you come to join Kermel and what was your work background? I have joined Kermel from my previous role as Managing Director France for Metalor. I have lengthy experience in materials development and transformation, most notably in the aeronautics and electrical engineering industries, two areas where Kermel is planning to release new products in the coming years. What is Kermel today? Please define its situation. Located in Colmar (France), Kermel is the European market leader in the manufacture of meta-aramid fibres for flame and heat resistant protective clothing. Kermel is reaping the benefit of this buoyant market that focuses on personal protection and safety. Turnout gear for fire fighters along with protective coveralls for riot-police, military and industrial uses (in petrochemicals, electricity etc.) are some of the most popular applications made from Kermel® fibres. What are your goals as Managing Director? My objective is to continue the company’s commercial and industrial development, principally through investment to increase production capacity, and to continue improvements in the quality of customer service. Please tell us about Kermel’s projects. With several years of good profitability and high growth behind it, Kermel has set its sights firmly on the future and is banking on the results of a major research and innovation drive, which has already led to the filing of a large number of new patents. Future growth is targeted along three main paths: aggressive innovation in the field of protective clothing, geographical diversification, and new markets. Can you elaborate on these three points? In terms of aggressive innovation in the field of protective clothing: with more than 5% of its turnover dedicated to Research and Development, Kermel, in co-operation with its partners in the textile supply chain, offer a whole range of innovative solutions using its Kermel® fibre. Most of them will be exhibited at A+A in Düsseldorf, in October. Regarding geographical diversification, we will continue to increase our development effort to gain new territories worldwide. And the third, new markets, I want to point out that in parallel with the protective clothing activities, Kermel has developed thermal insulating papers and laminates for electrical insulation. After appropriate testing, this paper could be potentially used in devices such as 111