TenCate Protective Fabrics — a manufacturer of inherently flame-resistant (FR) fabrics, and a division of the Netherlands-based Royal Ten Cate NV — has introduced two new products for firefighter turnout gear that offer improved durability, light weight, and reduced heat stress.

TenCate Gemini XTL? protective fabric is based on polybenzimidazole (PBI) fiber, and offers greater tear and tensile strength and better abrasion resistance than other PBI-based outer-shell fabrics currently available, TenCate reports.

TenCate Millenia? fabric is based on poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fiber, and provides for the strongest and lightest system for firefighter turnout gear in the world, TenCate reports. The fabric is offered in a layered system and features a highly breathable thermal moisture barrier based on patented 3-D technology that facilitates sweat evaporation and reduced heat stress. According to TenCate, Millenia also offers good protection against water, chemical and blood splashes, and blood-transmitted diseases.