A Legacy of Pioneering Protection

The U.S. Military commissioned innovative technology from Westex for flame-resistant insulation in allied bombers. Westex’s WWII efforts led to other flame-resistant fabric advancements that protected U.S. military personnel in Korea and Vietnam.

Westex developed flame-resistant fabrics to protect workers from molten metal splashes in steel mills.

Westex® Indura® was the first flame-resistant fabric to guarantee protection for the life of the garment. A key achievement in a significant research and development effort, Indura helped Westex reinforce its position as an innovative industry leader.

NASA awarded Milliken the contract to provide fabrics for its flight suits. It was an opportunity to demonstrate the extreme testing and protective ability of Milliken flame-resistant textiles, which were worn by astronauts during the Atlantis, Columbia and Discovery orbiters’ launch and re-entry.

Westex® UltraSoft® was developed as the result of a new proprietary fabric softening process. UltraSoft combined protection, comfort and value in a single fabric, which became the first line of flame-resistant textiles to fit and feel like everyday clothing.

Through the acquisition of a second U.S. manufacturing facility, Westex brought dyeing capabilities in-house and expanded manufacturing and warehousing capacity.

Westex created the first real-world testing seminars where customers could experience a live electrical arc flash or flash fire in a safe, controlled environment.

Milliken has earned recognition as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere® Institute every year since the award’s inception in 2007. Ethisphere is dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics and corporate citizenship.

Milliken acquired Westex, establishing a partnership dedicated to protecting men and women in dangerous, demanding jobs around the world. With Milliken’s history of advanced manufacturing and Westex’s deep market knowledge, the new organization quickly became the trusted, innovative leader in flame-resistant fabrics.

The acquisition of Springfield LLC, a manufacturer of flame-resistant fabrics for the safety apparel, fire service, military and occupational markets, expanded Milliken’s global presence. It also enhanced Milliken’s ability to deliver comprehensive solutions that improve end-user comfort, protection and safety.

Milliken earned a place on EHS Today’s list of “America’s Safest Companies”, which honors organizations with a demonstrated commitment to employee safety and health, environment management and risk control. When a work environment is safe, workers can focus on their jobs. That is the driving belief behind Milliken’s commitment to safety.

Westex and Teijin joined forces to bring Westex® Synergy® Pro to the Asia-Pacific region. An aramid flame-resistant fabric designed for oil and gas flash fire hazards, Synergy Pro offers the highest comfort level in a reliable protective layer for daily wear.

The acquisition of Polartec enabled Milliken to combine innovative Westex® technology with Polartec’s unique fabric constructions. Their collaboration led to the Polartec FR Collection.

Westex® DH Air™ was engineered to evolve Westex® DH with a new lightweight, Cat 2 fabric. Since launch, it has become a popular choice for electrical arc-flash and flash-fire protection.

Westex, along with other industry leaders, is a proud member of the Partnership for Electrical Safety. This continues our commitment to worker safety, education and electrical industry support.

The Textile Business of Milliken announces it has successfully eliminated all per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, from its textile fibers and finishes portfolio, becoming the first U.S.-based multi-market textile manufacturer to remove PFAS. Now, Westex® AllOut® uses a non-PFAS finish.

Milliken is one of the first 50 companies in the world to have net-zero targets verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the first in South Carolina, where its global headquarters is located. By 2030, Milliken has committed to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50.4% and scope 3 GHG emissions by 30%. Read how Westex is helping to reach those targets here.