Safety drives DuPont
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, January 25, 2004
RICHMOND, Va. — Safety and science, two hallmarks of DuPont over its 202-year history, continue to drive that company as it expands its expertise to fire-resistant mattress materials.
Going back to its founding as a producer of black powder in 1802 in Delaware's Brandywine Valley, DuPont has long emphasized safety for its employees and its customers.
"Safety and science are core competencies at DuPont," noted Kathy Kowalski, DuPont's global new business development manager, "and we have an extensive history in helping protect both people and property from fire hazards, particularly in industrial or other work settings.
"But consumers have a need for fire protection as well," she continued. "In our consumer studies, 81% of people that are concerned about home fire safety say they would spend money on fire-resistant products that may protect their families from a home fire. We have combined the best of our history and knowledge to develop DuPont FR material technology to help address consumer needs."
The company's Spruance plant here is leading the push into the FR mattress material category. Key production, research, testing and sales and marketing functions are based at this plant, where the technologies that make DuPont's fire-resistant mattress material were originally developed.
The Spruance plant employs about 2,700 people and produces DuPont's Nomex-brand fiber, used in firefighting gear and protective apparel, including the suits worn by NASA astronauts. The plant also produces DuPont's Kevlar-brand fiber, woven into vests that protect law enforcement officers and members of the U.S. military from small arms fire (see accompanying story).
Those products, and others, have established DuPont's reputation as a company whose science-based products can be trusted, according to Jim Ranson, new business development manager.
"Consumers know DuPont as a trusted leader whose scientific innovations have made a real difference in people's lives," he said. "Our research shows that safety is important to consumers. They have value for the DuPont brand in home products – and specifically in fire-resistant mattresses – and are willing to pay extra for it. It's our role to help the mattress manufacturer and retailer capture this additional consumer value by providing FR materials that help them meet the new standard."
Listening to the marketplace keyed DuPont's decision to enter the FR mattress arena, according to John Dottore, corporate accounts manager in the marketing and sales department.
"The bedding industry has asked DuPont to apply our experience in fire science to develop a comfortable, cost-effective fire-resistant material for use in their development of mattresses that meet regulatory testing standards," he said. "Our work with mattress manufacturers has resulted in the first generation of commercially available DuPont fire-resistant material, and we stand ready to supply the industry."
The Spruance plant, as well as other plants, will produce the raw materials and FR fabrics, which will be distributed through 10 distribution centers located throughout the country. Once inventory levels have been established, the products will be delivered on 24- to 48-hour notice to bedding producers across the country, according to DuPont officials.
In addition to providing FR mattress materials, DuPont also is providing guidelines on how to utilize those materials effectively.
"We want to provide technology that can help protect the greatest number of people possible," said Dr. Warren Knoff, a DuPont research fellow who is working on the company's FR mattress program. "Developing a really good flame-retardant system is just part of the equation. The rest of the equation involves inserting the barriers into mattress designs properly so they do their jobs effectively. Knowledge developed by DuPont will help mattress manufacturers define a solutions approach – rather than a components approach – to making safer mattresses."
DuPont's expertise in fire safety goes back several decades. In the late 1950s, a DuPont research team working with the Spruance plant developed the inherently fire-resistant fiber now known as Nomex. Nomex fiber production started at that plant in 1967.
The fiber now known as Kevlar was developed in 1965, also by a team working with the Spruance plant. A Kevlar fiber facility there started production in 1971.
In addition to being resistant to bullets and knives, the Kevlar fiber has excellent resistance to high temperatures and flames. Development of Kevlar took 15 years and $500 million.
Pound for pound stronger than steel, Kevlar is also used in boat hulls, helmets (every U.S. combat solider has worn a helmet of DuPont Kevlar since the Gulf War of 1991), skis, rope, cable and the brakes used in trains, planes and automobiles.
Technology with DuPont Kevlar is now a key component of DuPont's FR mattress material.
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Safety drives DuPont
Jan 29, 2004
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