DuPont Launches Kevlar® XPâ„¢ with More Bullet Stopping Power New Patented Technology Provides Both Ballistic and Trauma Protection

DuPont today announced the availability of DuPontâ„¢ Kevlar® XPâ„¢, a new patented technology that provides ballistic and trauma protection in a more comfortable body armor solution.

Both DuPont and independent tests show that Kevlar® XPâ„¢ consistently stops bullets within the first three layers of a vest designed with a total of 11 layers. The remaining layers of Kevlar® XPâ„¢ absorb the energy of the bullet, resulting in less trauma, or backface deformation, to the vest wearer. Based on DuPont experience, significantly more layers are typically required to stop a bullet in other commercially available lightweight technologies. Kevlar® XPâ„¢ initially will be available for body armor, but DuPont already is developing additional ballistic applications for the future, as well as products for other industries.

"In our experience, we have never seen a technology that works as effectively as Kevlar® XPâ„¢ at stopping bullets and reducing body trauma in a lightweight solution. This is an exciting new ballistic technology platform and the latest example of continued innovation in personal protection products from DuPont,â€? said Thomas G. Powell, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. "Kevlar® XPâ„¢ technology has been designed to provide endusers with higher performance body armor that is more comfortable, while meeting the most demanding requirements of current and pending global standards.â€?

Kevlar® XPâ„¢ typically provides a 15 percent reduction in backface deformation and at least a 10 percent lighter weight vest design against the most challenging National Institute of Justice (NIJ) level IIIA threat, a .44 magnum bullet. Additionally, Kevlar® XPâ„¢ provides excellent layer to DuPont is responding to growing global needs for increased safety and security by developing new technologies and adding Kevlar® fiber capacity.

DuPont continues to work closely with body armor manufacturers and end-users to better understand emerging needs and to develop solutions that help to protect more lives from increasing threats. Kevlar® XPâ„¢ has been designed to protect those who protect us and is a critical step in DuPont's commitment to launch 1,000 new products that protect people's lives by 2015.

DuPont also has committed additional resources toward meeting the growing demand for Kevlar® fiber by investing $500 million in a multi-phase Kevlar® production expansion to be completed in 2010 - the company's fifth major investment in seven years.

DuPont provides many of the most trusted brands available to protect from ballistic, thermal, chemical, biological and mechanical threats. Brands such as DuPontâ„¢ Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek® and Tychem® have been protecting people around the world for over 40 years.

DuPontâ„¢ Kevlar® XPâ„¢ is part of the personal protection portfolio within DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems, a business unit of the DuPont Safety & Protection segment. Other business units in the segment include DuPont Building Innovations, DuPont Nonwovens, DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise and DuPont Safety Resources. The segment provides innovative products and services that protect people, buildings, critical processes and the environment. In 2007, the segment's revenues totalled $5.6 billion.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.