The oil crisis in the 70s, the associated economic downturn and growing overcapacity cause difficulties for the entire European textile industry. The pressure of competition from Asia is also constantly increasing. As a result, the 1980s at Schoeller are marked by restructuring and the search for new business fields. At the same time, first overseas subsidiaries are established.
1982
Trials begin with protective fabrics for the motorcycle sport. Here, for the first time, the high-tensile aramide fibers KEVLAR® from DuPont are used in the textile area.
1983
Schoeller Textil USA, Inc. is set up in Vermont. Schoeller fabrics have long been established in the USA, particularly for ski pants.
1985
The new protective fabrics are ready to go to market. They are launched under the name "keprotec®" for motorcycle wear. Today, Schoeller protective fabrics are among the leading products in this sector worldwide.
1986
The restructuring phase begins: Schoeller decides to pursue a niche strategy with high-end special fibers for sport, leisure and work protection. The basis is provided by the successful stretch fabrics "skifans" and "dynamic" as well as the "keprotec®" protective fabric and the newly-developed "stretchlight" group.
In Hong Kong, the foundation of Schoeller Far East Ltd. represents a first foothold in the Southeast-Asian market.
