US-based safety textile manufacturer TenCate Protective Fabrics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saxion University to strengthen their partnership towards research on sustainable textiles. The deal was inked recently when a large delegation from TenCate Protective Fabrics paid a visit to Saxion University’s Sustainable & Functional Textiles research group (Enschede, NL), led by Jan Mahy.

The TenCate Protective Fabrics group, led by Michael Laton, VP, global strategy and innovation, travelled to Saxion from the textile manufacturer’s North American headquarters in Union City, Georgia, US, as well as the company’s Dutch-based operation in Nijverdal, NL, according to a press release by TenCate Protective Fabrics.

As a culmination of the visit, the two parties signed the MoU.

“As two organisations devoted to textile innovation, we’re excited at the chance to unlock this new, scientific partnership. Capitalising on our collective strengths and capabilities will only aid in the shared goal of bringing fresh perspectives and new solutions to the protective textiles market. This is just the beginning of a long, productive collaboration between TenCate Protective Fabrics and Saxion,” said Michael Laton, VP, global strategy and innovation, TenCate Protective Fabrics.

“Saxion’s applied research projects have generated growing interest from companies throughout the whole textile chain who wish to enter a sustainable, multi-annual collaboration with Saxion. At Saxion, we look carefully at the company’s ambitions in the area of sustainability. The high-quality textiles produced by TenCate Protective Fabrics are a good match for the work of the Sustainable and Functional Textiles research group. This enables us to link creative technology and innovation with education and so make an impact in the world around us,” said Raimond Bartelink, head of school of creative technology, Saxion.