Established in 1902, 3M is a science-based technology company that develops a whole manner of products from ceramics, to adhesives to reflective materials, across 46 technology platforms.
3M focused on reflective materials at this year's expo
In total, 3M employs around 91,000 people across the globe, from scientists to researchers and to marketing personnel. The main areas of expertise for the company lie within the automotive, healthcare, safety and transportation sectors, among several others.
This year, at the Expoprotection exhibition in Paris, representatives from 3M France showcased some of the company’s most recent products, with a focus on reflective materials.
“3M is well known for its reflective materials. We invented the technology of retroreflective materials for traffic signs 80 years ago and transferred that in the 1950s to textiles under the brand 3M Scotchlite,” says Tony Davoine, engineer of key accounts, 3M.
“Our protective products are used in transportation, oil and gas, and industrial sectors where high visibility is key.”
3M’s portfolio of reflective tapes offer a wide range of reflective fabrics and reflective transfer films. The company’s brand of Scotchlite reflective woven fabrics can be sewn onto garments and rescue gear and come in the usual silver, high-vis orange and yellow colours. The strips are composed of exposed retroreflective glass beads that are bonded to a 100% polyester fabric using a special binder system.
“Our products can withstand the requirements of the textile industry, in terms of washing and flame resistance,” adds Davoine. “Industrial washing is becoming increasingly important these days too as almost all garments undergo industrial laundering and our reflective strips need to survive these processes.”
When it comes to trends within the industry, style is something that is now sought after from end users, too.
“The trend is to mix protective qualities with fashion. So, now when you see something, it looks more like sportswear than protective apparel. A person is much more likely and prouder to wear something that is more stylish,” adds Davoine.
Although 3M appears to have all the innovative solutions, there are still many challenges ahead, one of them being the much talked about issue of sustainability.
3M does have a sustainability strategy and most of the Scotchlite reflective fabrics are Oeko-Tex certified.
In a recent statement, the CEO of 3M, Mike Roman, announced that in 2019 the company plans to invest US$2bn in research and development, which may potentially go towards finding solutions for such problems.
Roman says: “As we work to deliver a strong close to 2018, we are positioning our company for success in 2019 and beyond.”
