Founded in 1954, Colan Products is an innovator in the field of engineered textiles . The privately owned Australian company, supplies composites for use in defence projects, marine, wind energy, civil engineering, automotive, aeronautical and insulation applications.

Colan’s commitment to research, development and investment in advanced weaving facilities has resulted in a range of specialised textiles for safety apparel and ballistics protection. The company weaves fabrics primarily using fibreglass, aramid and carbon, in addition to other industrial hybrid and blended fibres.

A heavyweight glass fabric was developed by Colan for the hull construction of the RAN Huon-class Minehunters.

Colan has been involved in several major projects for the ADF. Most notably, Colan supplied the fibreglass used in the construction of the Huon-class Coastal Minehunters.

Originally designed in Italy as the Gaeta-class for the Italian Navy, the Royal Australian Navy Huon-class have been modified to suit Australian conditions. The Huon-class feature a unique hull design which incorporates outstanding shock resistance and an inherently low magnetic signature, allowing the ships to operate in hostile mine environments.

Through research and consultation with an Italian designer it was decided that a fibreglass composite vessel would offer the required explosion resistance for the Huon-class. Colan sourced a special glass yarn from Europe and developed a heavyweight glass fabric for the construction. The fabric was used to build the six Huon-class vessels, which have now been in service for several years.

In another key defence project, Colan has supplied spall curtains for the M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers, to provide increased protection against ballistic attack.

Colan has also provided the ADF with ballistic panels, Nomex flash hoods designed to provide heat and flame protection for personnel, fire blankets, flame retardant fabrics for flight suits and army wear, ballistic vests and a range of thermal glass products for the Navy.

Past projects include:

• HMAS Sydney, FFG Frigate, ballistic panels and thermal insulation
• HMAS Canberra , FFG Frigate, aluminum honeycomb bulkhead panels
• M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers, ballistic protection and spall curtains for stretched versions of the vehicle
• HMAS Melbourne, FFG Frigate, thermal insulation
• Combat helmets for the Australian Army
• Fragmentation vests for the Australian Army
• Protection of the ordinance magazine on the Huon-class Minehunters. Colan also supplied the woven fibreglass from which the hulls were fabricated.

A range of flame retardant fabrics, ballistic vests and combat helmets have also been developed by Colan.	Colan has supplied spall curtains for the M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers.

Colan Products is committed to the concept of quality assurance and is accredited to AS/NZS ISO 9001: 2000. The company is headquartered in Sydney , with offices and warehouses in Melbourne and Perth .