Alexium Commences Trial Work With New U.S. Defense Contractor for FR Solutions for Advanced Textiles Using Exotic Materials

PERTH, AUSTRALIA and GREER, SC--(Marketwired - May 29, 2015) -  Alexium International Group Limited (ASX: AJX) (OTCQX: AXXIY) announces the successful progress of commercial run trials with a supplier to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for fire retardant (FR) solutions for advanced textiles comprising of exotic materials for specific defense sector applications.

Our customer produces and sells materials with stringent FR requirements and which comprise of combinations of exotic materials, including Lycra™, Neoprene™ and natural rubber. Alexium quickly provided a solution with superior performance, feel and durability over the customer's current FR formulation. Alexium exceeded the customer's FR specification requirements on each of the first two scale up trials and is now undertaking a third scale up round to optimize throughput at the customer's production and finishing facility.

Alexium will provide information on the customer and the first specific FR products for this customer once products are being shipped. The revenue potential for our FR formulations on a first application would start at US $1.0M pa and grow as FR solutions for Lycra™, Neoprene™ and natural rubber are applied to new products.

"This new work is an additional element to Alexium's overall Defense sector strategy, complementing the work being undertaken with the U.S. DoD Natick Army Research Center on "Green Initiatives" and the Fire Retardant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU).

Dr. Bob Brookins, Alexium's Vice President of Research and Development, added, "What distinguishes Alexium's chemistry, over and above our patented and environmentally friendly FR solutions, is the ability to be able to treat difficult materials and meet our client's specific needs through changes to our formulations. This is only made possible by our exquisite understanding of the depth and range of FR chemistries."

NEW HIRES

To meet the need to support our growing customer base in managing applications for the combined Defense and Commercial sectors, Alexium has appointed Reggie Didier, Vice President of Product Development. Reggie brings 31 years' experience of product development and project management experience, working directly with customers, latterly at Royal Adhesives and Sealants. Reggie was also formerly a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

In addition, with the steady increase in Alexium's involvement with the U.S. DoD, Natick and Defense Sector programs, Alexium has recently appointed John Stelling to the role of Defense Projects Manager. "John brings substantial defense sector experience gained over eight years working with contractors to the U.S. DoD in the textiles sector, while with Milliken & Company," said Nicholas Clark, Alexium CEO and Executive Director.

Mr. Clark added, "This new customer relationship is further validation of the value Alexium brings to the FR marketplace, while these new staff hires reflect Alexium's progress in achieving our strategic goals of solidifying a strong customer base for diverse and growing revenues. We remain on target for our projected 2015 year-end results."

For more information visit: www.alexiuminternational.com. 

About Alexium

Alexium International Group Limited (ASX: AJX) (OTCQX: AXXIY) holds proprietary patent applications for a process developed initially by the U.S. Department of Defense, which allows for the surface modification and attachment of nano-particles or multiple chemical functional groups to surfaces or substrates to provide functions such as fire retardancy, water proofing, oil proofing, and anti-microbial treatments. Applications under development include but are not limited to textiles, paints, and packaging, glass and building materials. Alexium's fire retardant chemical treatment are currently marketed for different fabric markets under the Alexiflam™, Alexiflam-NF™, Alexiflam-SYN™, Ascalon™, Nycolon™, Nuvalon™, and Polytron™, Omnitron™ and Bactron™ trademarks.