As the sports world gears up for the 2006 Soccer World Cup, UK tanner Pittards has entered the battle early with the launch of its new product named Armortan-K.

Armortan-K incorporates the Kevlar molecule which interacts with the leather to give extra strength and durability. According to Richard Malin of Pittards, the strength achieved creates an effect like a bullet going into a sand bag”. It is not just a drum treatment although the company does not try and get full penetration, using a mixed drum and surface coating approach.

Pittards’ original Armortan material is already strengthened with a ceramic coating on every fibre which increases the abrasion resistance and durability.

For the soccer market the battle has been to get a very strong and light weight leather to match the renowned performance benefits of kangaroo.  With grading and quality issues arising in the kangaroo raw material supply, and with some of the environmental issues not yet resolved, Pittards feels that the market is ready for its new offer.

Authorised users of Armortan-k can utilise a Pittards tag indicating that the leather is enhanced with DuPont Kevlar at no fee.