Kevlar® XP™ 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® XP™ 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," said Thomas G. Powell, vice president and general manager -- DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems. "Kevlar® XP™ technology has been designed to provide end-users with higher performance body armor that is more comfortable, while meeting the most demanding requirements of current and pending global standards."

DuPont™ Kevlar® XP™ is a new patented technology that provides ballistic and trauma protection in a more comfortable body armor solution.

Kevlar® XP™ 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® XP™ provides excellent layer to layer abrasion resistance.

Kevlar® XP™ is targeted to the growing global market for ballistic protection - a market DuPont estimates is growing at more than 10 percent annually, and in which DuPont™ Kevlar® has over 35 years of proven performance.

DuPont™ Kevlar® XP™ consistently stops bullets within the first three layers of a vest designed with a total of 11 layers. The remaining layers of Kevlar® XP™ absorb the energy of the bullet, resulting in less trauma to the vest wearer.

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® XP™ 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™ Kevlar® XP™ has more bullet stopping power than other commercially available technologies. A .44 magnum bullet is stopped within three layers.

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 DuPont™ Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek® and Tychem® have been protecting people around the world for over 40 years.

For more information on DuPont™ Kevlar® XP™ visit: www.kevlarxp.dupont.com

This video captures a .44 magnum bullet impacting sheets of DuPont™ Kevlar® XP™. Examination of the sheets demonstrates that the bullet was stopped within the first three layers. Video by Fuel Creative, Inc.

DuPont™ Kevlar® XP™ Animation: Kevlar® XP™ consistently stops bullets within the first three layers of a vest designed with a total of 11 layers, as demonstrated in this animation. Animation Courtesy of DuPont