DuPont Tyvek, a pioneering non-woven material that provides barrier protection, durability and breathability, marks its 40th anniversary as demand continues to be strong in applications where high-performance protection is required. Combining the best characteristics of paper, film and fabric, Tyvek is lightweight but still strong, and breathable while resistant to water, a wide range of hazardous materials, chemical degradation and tears.
“DuPont Tyvek revolutionized the selective barrier as the first non-woven that is not permeable to particulates, mold and bacteria, while still letting beneficial elements like clean air pass through,” said Matthew L. Trerotola, vice president and general manager for DuPont Non-wovens. “DuPont has a strong tradition of delivering Tyvek innovations to meet the changing needs of the global marketplace. As a global leader in selective barrier technologies, we are committed to continue to provide Tyvek and other technologies to help protect buildings, workers, vehicles, equipment and critical information documents.”
Tyvek has unique qualities that make it ideal for end uses across diverse industries, with innovative consumer and protection applications. Although the most commonly known application is DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap, Tyvek is also used in protective garments, envelopes, tags and labels, indoor and outdoor signs and banners, sterile medical and industrial packaging as well as bags, maps and car covers. Additional Tyvek applications include:
- Protective garments made of Tyvek are widely used in manufacturing, laboratory and emergency response settings around the world, providing superior worker protection from hazardous materials.
- Tyvek is used in virtually every form of sterile medical packaging for devices and supplies.
- Tyvek envelopes have been the preferred choice for the FedEx Pak for more than 30 years.
- Covers made with Tyvek have been used to help protect everything from personal vehicles to NASA space station modules during manufacturing, transportation and storage.
DuPont continues to aggressively pursue new and emerging applications for Tyvek, adding new performance capabilities and introducing new ways to use or work with Tyvek. Recent product introductions include:
- Tyvek Auto Surface Protection System helps protect the finish of new vehicles during shipping, while allowing paint to fully dry and cure.
- InkJet Banner Media made with DuPont Tyvek features an advanced coating to ensure compatibility with inkjet printers in the development of wide-format signs and banners.
- Tyvek AtticWrap is the first breathable roofing membrane to create an airtight attic.
- Tyvek ThermaWrap helps provide increased comfort and reduced energy costs by improving the reflection of radiant energy in wall systems.
New DuPont Tyvek Comfort fit design coveralls were designed based on wearer input and provide workers with a significantly more comfortable fit, improved mobility and enhanced durability.
DuPont introduced Tyvek in 1967. The initial discovery was made when a DuPont researcher recognized the potential value of a high-strength white polyethylene fiber formed in samples taken from a new DuPont high-density polyethylene process. A program was established to develop the new material into an engineered sheet structure now registered as Tyvek, which today is produced at DuPont facilities in
