Projectiles, knife cuts, fire – fabrics from the Italian textile company SEAL provide reliable protection and their advanced technology earns worldwide acclaim. SEAL’s second main area is prepreg elements and modern materials for all kinds of lightweight designs. Advanced chemical treatments as well as weaving-technological methods are used to manufacture such products developed in the test laboratories of SEAL S.p.A.

As part of the Gruppo Snia Viscosa, SEAL was able to gain specific know-how on processing polypropylene fibers which generated great response in the packaging industry. Joint ventures with companies involved in similar products resulted in a comprehensive competence in the areas of industrial textiles and composite materials. SEAL has recently also won customers from the automotive, aircraft and defense industries and provides complete solutions for human body protection as well as lightweight elements for sports cars, trains, aircraft, cruise ships, speedboats etc. Other areas for SEAL products are the construction industry, biomedical engineering and manufacturing of precision tools and robots.
 

Examples of final products are modern bullet and knife-penetration proof vests, riot shields and helmets for police and military, protective suits and blankets, armoring of vehicles, tanks, aircraft and ships. Prepregs are developed for bodywork and hulls in automotive and ship construction. For example, SEAL’s know-how was on board the "Luna Rossa" yacht during the prestigious off-shore ocean regatta, the America’s Cup.
SEAL technology is also used in bodywork and chassis design for the famous Italian sports cars of Ferrari and Lamborghini.

New location, new potential

The various subsidiaries were united at the present location in Legnano in 1990 and they utilize 30.000 m² of production space. 55 DORNIER rapier machines with nominal widths between 180 and 410 cm are installed. The total annual production of woven fabrics amounts to almost 3,5 million m². SEAL expects a turnover of approx. 26 million Euro in 2001, realized with a total of 120 employees. 70 % of the production is exported. The export share of ballistic materials reaches even 89 %. The company is market leader in this sector in Italy and Europe, and sales are also strong to the Middle East and Far East, South America and Africa. The combined location in Legnano brought the desired shorter, simpler flow of manufacturing processes with faster reaction times. It also created synergy effects within personnel and operational resources. The company concentrates on developing new generations of industrial fabrics and safety restraint systems. The acquisition of the share majority by the SAATI group in 1993 increased this focus and opened up new market opportunities.

For example in 1998, SEAL successfully developed and marketed a new CONCREFLEX^® product line which serves to strengthen structural elements of buildings. Especially for the renovation and restoration of historic buildings this system offers a great potential. Bridge and building support elements made of carbon are also in the planning stages. Apart from production facilities in Legnano, SEAL has its own test laboratories for textile and mechanical development. A separate ballistic laboratory is available to test the products with various types of hand weapons. With a well developed sense for the demands of the market and an emphasis on the corporate strategy of the 5 C’s (Communication, Confidence, Cooperation, Coordination, Competition), SEAL feels well prepared for the challenges of the future.