What Heathcoat Fabrics does

Heathcoat Fabrics Limited is a UK-based, privately held technical textile manufacturer founded in 1808 and headquartered at Westexe, Tiverton. The company operates a vertically integrated production facility spanning yarn texturising (under the brand XTEX), weaving, warp knitting (Tricot and Raschel), dyeing, and specialist finishing, enabling in-house control from engineered yarn through to tested finished textile. Headcount sits in the 101-250 range, and the firm describes itself as debt-free and highly profitable with no external institutional investors.

The portfolio comprises high-performance knitted and woven fabrics organised under multiple proprietary brand families, including DecelAir parachute textiles, Synchrotec timing-belt fabrics, Turbotec hose reinforcements, Spacetec 3D spacer textiles, DRYTEC moisture-wicking fabrics, CEtec drop-stitch expansion textiles, NeutraliZr PFAS-free CBRN textiles, GARDTEX industrial protective fabrics, Flare Free flame-retardant finishes, Ember-X wildland fire fabrics, EVO-FR aircraft seating spacer, and a Flare Free heritage tulle and dress net line. These are sold primarily through direct B2B enterprise sales teams targeting ten verticals — aerospace, defence and military, PPE, healthcare, parachute (primary segments), and automotive, marine, nursery, composites, and synchronous belt protection (secondary segments). Customer logos include Airbus, NASA, the Singapore Civil Defence Force, UK Fire Services, and global military forces. Pricing is quote-based for B2B technical textile contracts while a small retail shop and online store (heathcoatretail.com) sell consumer tulle and dress net fabrics.

Distribution runs through direct enterprise sales for global B2B customers, supplemented by a dedicated US-based warehouse opened in 2025 to serve North American customers without import-tariff friction and a Tiverton retail shop. Go-to-market relies heavily on technical trade shows (Techtextil, Interschutz, CBRNe conferences, AFAC, Emergency Services Show) and direct technical engagement with engineering and procurement teams, reflecting a high-touch, specification-driven sales motion rather than broad consumer marketing. The business model is predominantly B2B hardware sales of proprietary fabrics, with a secondary revenue stream from custom textile development and qualification services and a smaller consumer retail tail for heritage tulle and dress net products.

Name

Heathcoat Fabrics

Legal name

Heathcoat Fabrics Limited

Website

https://heathcoat.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1808

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Heathcoat Fabrics is a UK-based technical textile manufacturer founded in 1808 that produces engineered knitted and woven fabrics for aerospace, defence, PPE, healthcare, parachute, and industrial customers globally, leveraging vertically integrated manufacturing and patented proprietary technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technical Textiles

NAICS

Knit Fabric Mills (313240), Knit Fabric Mills (31324), Broadwoven Fabric Mills (313210), Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills (3133)

SIC

Knitting Mills (2250), Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Man Made Fiber & Silk (2221), Textile Mill Products (2200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Fabric Mills (Performance/Protective/Medical Substrates) (IMAOABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aerospace & Defense Technical Textiles (Ballistic/Parachute/Radar-Absorbing/Composites Reinforcement) (IMAOADAF), Protective & Safety Textiles (FR/Arc/Heat/Cut/Chemical) (IMAOADAA), Knitted Fabric Mills (IMAOABAB)

Keywords

• Technical textile manufacturing
• Protective fabrics
• Knitted fabrics
• Woven fabrics
• Aerospace textiles

Headquarters

HQ city

Tiverton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Technical Textile Manufacturing: B2B manufacturing and supply of high-performance knitted and woven technical textiles across multiple market sectors including aerospace, defense, healthcare, automotive, and industrial applications. Revenue generated through direct sales of standard and bespoke fabric products.
2. Custom Fabric Development: Engineering and development of bespoke textile solutions tailored to customer-specific requirements. Revenue from custom product development, testing, and qualification services for specialized applications.
3. Retail Fabric Sales: Consumer-facing sales of tulle and dress net fabrics through retail shop and online store (heathcoatretail.com). Products include bridal wear, dancewear, and decorative textiles.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Heathcoat Fabrics manufactures high-performance knitted and woven technical textiles through vertically integrated processes including yarn processing, weaving, warp knitting, dyeing, and specialist finishing. The company supplies engineered fabrics for aerospace, defense, fire services, healthcare, parachute, automotive, marine, and industrial applications, alongside a consumer tulle and dress net retail operation. Products include proprietary technologies such as DecelAir parachute fabrics, Spacetec 3D spacer textiles, NeutraliZr CBRN fabrics, and Ember-X firefighter fabrics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DecelAir: Global brand name for parachute fabrics for space, military and leisure users. Includes Superlight (weighing 24gsm or less) and Extreme for brake chutes.
• Synchrotec
• Turbotec
• Spacetec
• DRYTEC
• CEtec
• NeutraliZr
• GARDTEX
• Flare Free
• Heathcoat Advanced Yarns
• Richard Hayward Marine
• Ember-X
• EVO-FR

Products and services

• DecelAir® Parachute Fabrics DecelAir is Heathcoat's parachute fabric range for space, military, and leisure applications. Includes DecelAir Superlight weighing 20gsm or less and DecelAir Extreme for brake chute solutions. Used in NASA's Mars 2020 Mission recovery system and by global military and sport parachute manufacturers.
• Synchrotec® Belt Protection Fabrics Synchrotec is the global brand name for Heathcoat's industry-leading transmission belting textiles. Covering TPU and rubber belts with fabrics ranging 50-780gsm, widths 920-1500mm, gauge 0.3-2.2mm with adhesion promotion systems. Used by industrial belt manufacturers globally.
• Turbotec® Hose Reinforcement Fabrics Turbotec is Heathcoat's worldwide number one textile choice for mandrel-built hose reinforcement. Woven and knitted fabrics withstand extreme temperatures, are lightweight and durable, with adhesive-activated water-based finishes bonding with silicone, fluorosilicone, and fluorocarbon compounds.
• Spacetec® 3D Spacer Textiles Spacetec is a high-performance multifunctional one-piece 3D spacer textile with breathable structure, variable compression, pressure recovery, and moisture management. Gauge range 2mm-12mm with flame retardant options certified to BS EN 14116 Index 3 and FAR 25.853.
• CEtec™ Drop-Stitch Fabric CEtec is a patented knitted drop-stitch fabric providing controlled flat surface expansion that maintains consistent shape when inflated with air, foam or water. Flexible options include variable widths and depths up to 500mm.
• DRYTEC® Moisture-Wicking Fabrics DRYTEC is a patented moisture-wicking fabric technology that actively moves moisture away from the skin, suitable for healthcare, wound care, sports, leisure apparel, and frontline personnel applications, improving thermo-physiological comfort.
• NeutraliZr® CBRN Protective Fabrics NeutraliZr features zirconium hydroxide in a PFAS-free formulation offering up to 24-hour protection against liquid, vapour, and aerosol-borne chemical warfare agents. Dust-free, non-shedding formulation developed with Guild Associates Inc.
• GARDTEX Protective Fabrics GARDTEX covers Heathcoat's range of durable protective fabrics for industrial clothing applications, providing protection from chemical, metal splash, electrostatic discharge and fire.
• EVO-FR™ Flame-Retardant Spacer Fabric EVO-FR is a patent-pending PEI-based 3D knitted spacer fabric for aircraft seating with non-melt, non-drip behavior under heat exposure. The material carbonises to reduce smoke density while maintaining structural integrity, designed to meet vertical burn, heat release and smoke density requirements under FAR/CS 25.853.
• Ember-X™ Wildland Firefighter Fabric Ember-X is the only wildland firefighter fabric incorporating PBI fibre with exceptional thermal resistance. Certified to AS/NZS 4824:2021+A1:2023 and EN ISO 15384:2020+A1:2021. The fabric is 25% stronger, 10% lighter and more breathable than competing wildland fabrics.
• High-Absorbency Viscose Woundcare Fabric Lightweight warp-knitted fabric engineered for medical and woundcare applications, crafted from 100% viscose yarns with 170 g/m² construction. Features high absorbency, biodegradable properties, and soft flexible construction ideal for dressings, pads, and advanced woundcare products.
• N-03247 Monofilament 3D Spacetec® Fabric N-03247 is a high-performance monofilament 3D spacer fabric manufactured from 100% monofilament polyester, featuring high compression resistance with strong recovery, breathable 3D structure for airflow and moisture management, hydrophobic non-absorbing construction for durability and hygiene. Suitable for automotive interiors, military and PPE, filtration and geotextiles.
• Heathcoat Advanced Yarns™ Heathcoat Advanced Yarns are engineered yarns developed to meet specific demands of end products. Heathcoat has the unique ability to engineer yarn properties for precise application requirements, working with high-performance fibres including para-aramids, PBI, PEEK, and polyetherimide.
• Flare Free® Flame-Retardant Finish Flare Free is a patented flammability safety finish providing fire protection compliant to BS EN 71-2:2020. Formaldehyde-free formulation compliant with UK REACH regulation, used on tulle and dress net fabrics for bridal wear and party applications.
• Praetor-FR™ Disruptive Print Material Praetor-FR is a world-first ultra-durable disruptive print material printed onto 100% aramid fibres offering ultimate heat and flame protection. Used in tank and helicopter seating and suspension systems.
• Richard Hayward Marine Sailcloth Richard Hayward is a heritage sailcloth brand combining traditional aesthetics with advanced materials for classic yacht sails, traditional sailing craft, heritage boats, and cruising vessels. Provides authentic appearance with UV and salt-water resistance.
• Ag+ Antibacterial Healthcare Textiles Ag+ is a unique silver ion antibacterial treatment for healthcare textiles that decreases infection risk and cross-contamination, reduces odour without irritation. Durable after laundering, meets Oekotex Standard 100, and helps reduce C.Dif infection in healthcare environments.
• Retail Fabric Shop (Tulle, Dress Net, Craft Fabrics) Heathcoat's retail shop in a Grade II listed building in Tiverton offers popular design home furnishing, haberdashery, wool, craft and dressmaking fabrics including premium English tulle and dress net. Buy in-store or online at heathcoatretail.com with delivery or click & collect options.

Quantifiable outcome

• EVO-FR outperforms conventional foams with non-melt, non-drip behavior under heat, reducing smoke density
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature14 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Guild Associates Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration for development of NeutraliZr® textile technology. Guild Associates contributed the unique dust-free, non-shedding formulation of zirconium hydroxide that is immobilized onto Heathcoat textiles for chemical warfare agent adsorption and detoxification. This partnership created a revolutionary material for military CBRN protection.
• Honeywell Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Honeywell to develop Spectra Fiber® super-lightweight ballistic and fragmentation solutions for body armour and helmet linings. Collaboration focused on advanced world-first lightweight protective solutions for military applications.
• World-class Fibre SupplierssupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartnerships with leading fibre suppliers including DuPont (Kevlar®, Nomex®), Teijin (Twaron®), PBI, and others to source high-performance materials for protective textile applications.
• DuPontsupportingTechnology or IntegrationOngoing collaboration to develop cutting-edge textiles protecting against molten metal, fire, and arc flash for industrial safety applications. Heathcoat works with DuPont and Protal for protective fabric development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Bally Ribbon Mills: US specialty weaver of technical narrow and woven fabrics for aerospace, defense, medical and industrial uses. Comparable as a niche, high-performance woven technical textile manufacturer serving mission-critical customers.
• Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics: Manufactures engineered coated and technical textiles for aerospace, defense, healthcare and industrial applications. Directly comparable in materials science depth, certification portfolio and mission-critical end markets.
• Sefar Group: Swiss manufacturer of precision woven fabrics for filtration, automotive, aerospace and industrial applications. Comparable in technical weaving capabilities and industrial end-market focus.
• Scapa Group: UK-headquartered engineered adhesive and coated products business with technical textile exposure in industrial and healthcare markets. Comparable in specialty technical materials for industrial end markets.
• Porcher Industries: French technical textile manufacturer producing woven and knitted reinforcements for aerospace, defense, automotive and industrial applications. Directly comparable as a vertically integrated specialty textile peer targeting the same qualification-gated end markets.
• Tex Tech Industries: US manufacturer of high-performance technical textiles for aerospace, defense, ballistic and industrial applications. Comparable in protective and high-performance woven fabric technologies serving aerospace and defense OEMs.

Broad incumbents

• Toray Industries (Advanced Materials Division): Global advanced materials group with a significant technical textiles and composites portfolio serving aerospace, automotive and industrial markets. Comparable as a large diversified incumbent with overlapping technical textile capabilities.
• Teijin Aramid: Manufacturer of Twaron aramid fibres used in ballistic, aerospace and industrial protective textiles. Comparable as a major upstream fibre supplier with overlapping downstream protective-textile ambitions.
• DuPont (Personal Protection): Producer of Kevlar aramid and Nomex fibres that underpin many of Heathcoat's protective fabric products. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the protective textiles supply chain that Heathcoat both relies on and competes against in downstream applications.

Emerging players

• PBI Performance Products: Producer of PBI fibre used in firefighter and aerospace protective garments. Comparable as the supplier of the PBI fibre that Heathcoat incorporates into its Ember-X and Singapore CDF fabrics, with potential competitive overlap in high-end PPE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/heathcoatfabric

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heathcoat Fabrics