U.S. President Obama signs permanent import approval

The Lenzing Group will continue to supply flame-resistant specialty fibers for a new generation of U.S. Army combat uniforms. The signature of U.S. President Obama on December 31, 2011 formally approving the National Defense Authorization Act enables the delivery of "TenCate Defender™M" uniform fabrics for an unlimited period of time ("permanent waiver"). The key component included in this fabric is the heat protection fiber Lenzing FR® of the Austrian Lenzing Group. In principle, only clothing products "Made in USA" are allowed for the U.S. Army. Up until now, textiles made from Lenzing fibers were supplied on the basis of a limited exemption granted in the year 2008.

Lenzing exports flame-resistant fibers from Austria to its American cooperation partner TenCate Protective Fabrics (TenCate). The company is the leading manufacturer of flame-resistant fabrics for the U.S. Armed Forces. The President's signature approving the waiver now allows Lenzing to make the required volumes of the specialty fiber Lenzing FR® available to the U.S. Army without restrictions in the future.