KERTEX Applications

KERTEX development was started for the U.S. Army, who was searching for a bio-based material that could 1. provide matching or exceeding performance in safety, fit, form and function, vs. traditional fibers, 2. achieve enhanced supportability for seat belts, seat covers, canvas covers, etc. and, 3. achieve a longer time to detection using natural materials for camouflage purposes vs. that of standard synthetic materials.

Oceanit initiated an examination of keratin bio-polymers that could provide strength, weight savings, and durability to the textile that the Army was seeking. The ultimate objective is to provide fibers capable of substituting a significant portion of petroleum-based synthetic and plastic fiber that are currently used for high-load-bearing components like straps, belts, covers, and more. Our answer to this challenge came in the form of KERTEX.

Seat Belts & Straps

The U.S. Army fields vehicles that use a wide range of three-point and multi-point seat belts and restraining harnesses. KERTEX will be applied to a variety of multi-point harnesses for commander seats, crew seats, ROPS seating systems, and a wide range of other special applications that require durable restraints.

Seat Covers

The U.S. Army utilizes a variety of specialized seat covers in their vehicles; from energy- and shock-absorbing seat covers to tactical covers that offer personnel equipment storage or protective inserts. KERTEX will be applied to seat cover systems that cover a wide range of Army vehicles for use in many environments.

Packs & Gear

The U.S. Army uses a variety of packs and gear built on the MOLLE system (pronounced "Molly"). These include rucksacks, load-bearing vests, pouches, and more, recently made from heavy-duty nylon fabric. KERTEX is a possibly replacement for this material, which could make up a new generation of PALS, short for "Pouch Attachment Ladder System."

Apparel

The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the U.S. Army. KERTEX may be investigated to upgrade the apparel materials which use the Operational Camouflage Pattern (2019), such as the primary uniform, weather overgear, body armor, and more.

Per Army requirements, KERTEX will be suitable for seat belting, camouflage covers, seat material, and more, be produced from domestically-sourced raw materials, and will be less costly than traditional natural fibers and environment-renewing when compared to synthetics. Currently, many of the fabrics/materials that the U.S. Department of Defense acquires are not manufactured in the US, and synthetics, despite negative chemical and environmental impacts, have long displaced natural fiber use due to lower cost and better durability properties.

The Army determined that the integration of advanced bio-based materials would be possible with little or no disruption to their end-users, while the use of such a novel material could take advantage of domestic waste materials that would otherwise be disposed of or incinerated. By revolutionizing sourcing and production, a new material would help decarbonize the processes used in synthetic materials production.