Alexium signs agreement with Bruck

Perth-based Alexium International has entered an agreement to become the sole manufacturing and distribution partner in Australia and New Zealand for workwear and defence industry uniform supplier Bruck Textiles.

The memorandum of understanding involves a trial of Alexium's Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) technology with three different fabric types to demonstrate its performance capabilities on a commercial scale.

The RST technology is a protective treatment that can be applied to clothing and other textiles to provide multifunctional properties such as chemical and biological protection.

Bruck has been supplying combat and non-combat apparel fabrics for the Australian Defence Force since 1970.

Alexium chairman Gavin Rezos said Bruck was a natural choice given its market-leading position and its commitment to new innovative products through research and development.

Bruck's Darren O'Loughlin said Alexium's RST technology had industry changing potential.

"The potential environmental benefits and costs savings using RST technology was a valuable added attraction," Mr O'Loughlin said.

Alexium has also recently signed a licence option agreement with Tennessee-based SSM Industries, which supplies flame retardant apparel to the NASCAR industry.

The company is also actively involved with US Department of Defence tenders and has an ongoing cooperative research and development agreement with the US Air Force.