PBI Performance Products Inc. is the world’s only producer of high performance PBI fiber and polymer. We work with our clients continually developing fresh and new innovative ideas, to meet their market needs all over the globe. You will find our products in key markets including protective clothing for the fire service and industrial workers, semiconductor and electronics, and various high temperature applications.  

The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina; housing marketing, R&D, and administrative personnel. The PBI Performance Products manufacturing facility is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Other marketing locations include Hong Kong and Germany.

History of PBI

  • 1961 Polybenzimidazoles were developed by H. Vogel and C.S. Marvel with anticipation that the polymers would have exceptional thermal and oxidative stability.
  • 1963 Subsequently, NASA and the Air Force Materials Lab sponsored considerable work with polybenimidazoles for aerospace and defense applications as a non-flammable and thermally stable textile fiber.
  • 1969 The United States Air Force selects polybenzimidazole (PBI) for its superior thermal protective performance after a fire aboard an Apollo spacecraft killed three astronauts in 1967.
  • 1970's NASA continues to use PBI as part of the astronauts' clothing on Apollo, Skylab and numerous space shuttle flights.
  • 1980's PBI was introduced to the fire service, and through Project Fires an outer shell for turnout gear was developed. PBI Gold® fabric was born, consisting of 40% PBI/60% Para-aramid.
  • 1983 A unique production plant goes on-line and PBI fibers become commercially available.
  • 1990's Short cut PBI fibers are introduced for use in automotive braking systems. PBI staple fiber enters the aircraft market for seat fire blocking layers.
  • 1992 Lightweight PBI fabrics are developed for flame resistant workwear for electric utility and petrochemical applications.
  • 1994 PBI Gold fabric is engineered in black and was specified by FDNY.
  • 2003 PBI Matrix® was commercialized and introduced as the next generation PBI for firefighter turnout gear.

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