What PBI Performance Products does

PBI Performance Products is a privately held manufacturer of high-performance protective fire-resistant fibers and fabrics headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with its sole fiber production plant located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The company produces polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer fiber via a proprietary multi-step manufacturing process and sells branded fibers and fabric components—including PBI MAX, PBI MAX LP, PBI PEAK 5, FLEX 7, Stedair Gold moisture barrier, Glide Ice G2 thermal liner, PBI Hoods, and PBI Gloves—to manufacturer partners that assemble finished turnout gear and protective apparel. End users are structural firefighters, first responders, industrial and petrochemical workers, and soldiers requiring NFPA 1971–compliant thermal and flame protection.

The company's underlying technology centers on PBI polymer chemistry delivering decomposition temperatures of 1,300°F (standard PBI) and approximately 1,500°F (PBI LP), with break-open resistance of 30+ seconds compared to roughly 5 seconds for Nomex/Kevlar blends. Patent-pending ENFORCE Technology, integrated with TenCate-manufactured FLEX 7 fabric, provides additional strength and abrasion resistance. PBI holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, has never used PFOA/PFAS in its manufacturing, and emphasizes 100% U.S.-made fiber production.

The business model is a B2B channel-partner sales structure: PBI sells fiber and fabric inputs at undisclosed pricing to nine major turnout-gear OEMs (LION Apparel, MSA/Globe, Honeywell Morning Pride, Innotex, FireDex, Veridian, CrewBoss, Majestic, PGI), which in turn supply municipal fire departments and industrial customers across North America, Europe, the UK, and Asia-Pacific. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of The InterTech Group, Inc., a North Charleston, South Carolina–based conglomerate, and operates with 101–250 employees under President Bill Lawson.

Name

PBI Performance Products

Legal name

PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS INC.

Website

https://pbiproducts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PBI Performance Products manufactures proprietary polybenzimidazole (PBI) high-performance fire-resistant fibers and fabrics in Rock Hill, SC, selling to turnout-gear OEMs (LION, MSA/Globe, Honeywell, Innotex, FireDex, Veridian) that supply structural firefighters, first responders, and industrial workers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

High-Performance Protective Fibers and Fabrics

NAICS

Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (32522), Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills (3133), Nonwoven Fabric Mills (31323)

SIC

Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

Protective & Safety Textiles (FR/Arc/Heat/Cut/Chemical) (IMAOADAA)

Keywords

• Flame-resistant fibers
• Protective fabrics
• Firefighter turnout gear
• High-performance fibers
• Thermal protective textiles

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. PBI Fiber and Fabric Sales: PBI sells its high-performance protective fibers to manufacturer partners who incorporate them into turnout gear and protective apparel. Revenue is generated through the sale of PBI fiber, PBI-blended fabrics, and related products including outer shells, moisture barriers, thermal liners, hoods, and gloves.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PBI Performance Products manufactures high-performance polybenzimidazole (PBI) fibers and blended fabrics used as outer shells, moisture barriers, and thermal liners for firefighter turnout gear and industrial protective apparel. The company produces proprietary PBI fiber at its Rock Hill, SC plant and sells branded fabrics (PBI MAX, PBI MAX LP, PBI PEAK 5, FLEX 7) along with components (Stedair Gold, Glide Ice with PBI G2) and accessories (hoods, gloves) to manufacturer partners.

Product overview

PBI Performance Products is a manufacturer of high-performance protective fire resistant fibers and fabrics. The product portfolio centers on PBI brand fibers (polybenzimidazole) used in outer shells for firefighter turnout gear and protective apparel. The core product line consists of four outer shell fabrics: PBI MAX (strongest, 7.0 oz.), PBI MAX LP (lightweight with PBI LP fiber), PBI PEAK 5 (lightest, 5.6 oz.), and FLEX 7 (balanced performance). Supporting these are moisture barrier (Stedair Gold) and thermal liner (Glide Ice with PBI G2) components that form the 3-layer turnout gear system. Accessories include PBI Hoods and PBI Gloves. The company is 100% made in USA with manufacturing in Rock Hill, SC, and serves fire departments, first responders, soldiers, and industrial workers in oil & gas, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and defense sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PBI MAX: The strongest outer shell in the industry, offering the ultimate combination of high break-open and thermal protection, strength, comfort, and flexibility.
• PBI MAX LP
• PBI PEAK 5
• FLEX 7
• PBI LP

Products and services

• PBI MAX

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ seconds break-open resistance vs 5 seconds for Nomex/Kevlar blends
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• StedaircoreTechnology or IntegrationStedair is the manufacturer of Stedair Gold moisture barrier, the only moisture barrier in the industry containing PBI fiber. The partnership combines meta-aramid with ePTFE bi-component technology film and PBI flame-resistant fibers.
• DuPont (Kevlar)coreTechnology or IntegrationDuPont Kevlar filaments are used in Glide thermal liners combined with PBI G2. PBI fabrics are blended with Kevlar and para-aramids in the spinning process for optimal protective performance.
• DuPont (Nomex)coreTechnology or IntegrationNomex is used in thermal liner batting (80%) and facecloth compositions, combined with PBI for optimal thermal protection and comfort in turnout gear systems.
• LION ApparelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLION Apparel manufactures V-FORCE and Super-Deluxe turnout gear using PBI fabrics. Available in PBI Max, PBI Max LP, PBI Peak 5, and Flex7 configurations.
• MSA/GlobecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMSA/Globe manufactures Athletix Gear (with PBI Stretch) and G-Xtreme 3.0 turnout jackets using PBI fabrics.
• Honeywell (Morning Pride)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHoneywell Morning Pride manufactures Tails and Viper turnout gear using PBI fabrics.
• InnotexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInnotex manufactures Energy and Classic turnout gear using PBI fabrics. Also produces Gray Hood 25 with PBI/Lenzing FR knit.
• FireDexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFireDex manufactures FXR Gear custom turnouts and H41 Inceptor Hood using PBI/Lenzing fabrics with DuPont Nomex Nano Flex barrier.
• VeridiancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVeridian manufactures Velocity turnout gear and PBI Viper Hoods with PBI/Rayon knit. Also produces Fire Knight structural gloves.
• CrewBosscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrewBoss manufactures Titan turnout gear using PBI fabrics.
• MajesticcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajestic produces PBI Hoods for particulate-blocking protection.
• PGIcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPGI produces PBI Hoods for firefighter protection.
• Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPBI is committed to supporting FCSN to raise awareness, promote education, and urge adoption of safety practices that reduce firefighters' exposure to carcinogens. FCSN provides whitepapers and prevention resources promoted by PBI.
• TenCatecoreTechnology or IntegrationTenCate is the manufacturer of FLEX 7 fabric, which incorporates PBI fibers with patent-pending ENFORCE Technology for superior durability and protection.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DuPont: DuPont's Nomex (meta-aramid) and Kevlar (para-aramid) are the incumbent flame-resistant fibers used in structural firefighter turnout gear and the most direct substitute for PBI in the same OEM channel and end customer base.
• Teijin Aramid: Manufacturer of Twaron (para-aramid) and Technora, used in ballistic, industrial, and firefighter protective apparel. Competes head-to-head with PBI in high-performance aramid fibers and blended outer-shell systems.
• Toyobo: Manufacturer of Zylon (PBO), one of the highest-decomposition-temperature organic fibers, used in Agility and other ultra-high-performance protective fabrics that compete with PBI in extreme-heat turnout-gear outer shells.
• Hyosung Advanced Materials: Korean producer of meta- and para-aramid fibers under the Alkex brand, supplying flame-resistant and industrial protective textile markets that directly overlap PBI's protective apparel fiber business.
• Kolon Industries: Manufacturer of Heracron meta-aramid fiber for flame-resistant textiles, filtration, and industrial applications; competes with PBI in the same high-performance fiber category serving protective apparel OEMs.
• Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials: China's largest producer of meta-aramid fiber (Newstar) used in flame-resistant protective apparel, filtration, and electrical insulation, representing a low-cost global competitor in PBI's protective-fiber end market.

Emerging players

• Kermel: French manufacturer of Kermel meta-aramid fiber targeted specifically at thermal protective apparel for firefighters, police, and military, with a more focused product line than the diversified chemical majors but directly addressing PBI's core market.

Broad incumbents

• Solvay: Specialty chemicals group with a high-performance polymers portfolio (including former Cytec aerospace materials) serving aerospace, defense, and industrial protective applications that overlap with PBI's extreme-environment material franchise.
• 3M: Through its 3M Personal Safety Division, 3M supplies protective apparel, firefighter hoods, and high-performance ceramic fibers (Nextel) used in thermal protection applications, making it a broad incumbent in the same end customer wallet.
• Honeywell: Through Morning Pride, Honeywell is a major North American turnout-gear OEM and a direct customer of PBI fibers, while also producing high-performance fibers (Spectra) and PPE more broadly, making it both channel partner and adjacent competitor in protective apparel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnymd_Cqz67-YKaryGmOxKQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/pbi.performance.products
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pbi-performance-products-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/pbi.products
• Xx.com/pbiamericas

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 PBI Performance Products