For more than 250 years, Safilin has cultivated a unique expertise in the transformation of flax fibres and, more recently, hemp. Built on a long-standing European textile heritage, the company has continuously evolved its know-how to meet new industrial challenges by combining quality, performance and innovation.
Today, Safilin brings this expertise to the composites industry by developing textile solutions designed to meet the most demanding manufacturing processes. Our commitment to innovation has led us to develop a range of low-twist rovings, specifically engineered to maximize the performance of natural fibre reinforcements.
Thanks to their low twist, our flax and hemp rovings offer an excellent balance between processability, resin impregnation and mechanical performance. They provide an ideal solution for composite applications seeking lightweight, sustainable materials with a reduced carbon footprint, without compromising technical performance.
To further support our customers in the development of their composite parts, we have also developed a range of ready-to-impregnate flax and hemp textile reinforcements. Designed to simplify composite manufacturing processes, these reinforcements combine the outstanding qualities of natural fibres with optimized textile architectures for uniform resin impregnation and high mechanical performance.
Discover our range of low-twist rovings and ready-to-impregnate flax and hemp textile reinforcements for composite applications—the result of more than 250 years of expertise and a continuous commitment to innovation.
LINEN AND HEMP REINFORCEMENTS FOR COMPOSITES
Linen and hemp : natural fibres that enhance performance.
Backed by more than 250 years of expertise and a strong culture of innovation, Safilin develops textile solutions dedicated to the composites industry. Through the work of our Flax Lab, we have developed a range of low-twist flax and hemp rovings, engineered to deliver outstanding mechanical performance, optimized resin impregnation and ease of processing.
To meet the needs of composite manufacturers, Safilin also offers a range of ready-to-impregnate flax and hemp textile reinforcements, enabling the full potential of natural fibres to be harnessed in the most demanding composite applications.
Our Research & Development laboratory, the Flax Lab, continuously explores the potential of flax and hemp fibres for composite applications. Leveraging our expertise in natural fibres and our commitment to innovation, we develop high-performance reinforcement solutions that meet the requirements of the most advanced manufacturing processes and end-use applications.
Today, flax- and hemp-based composites are used across a wide range of industries, including :
TRANSPORT
CONSTRUCTION
WIND ENERGY
sport and leisure
FURNITURE
MUSIC
OUR PRODUCTS
These materials are used in technical applications and composite with high mechanical performance for the automotive industry, sport and leisure, construction, aviation and rail transport, consumption goods and design…
ROVING
Flax Low Twist Roving Tex 200
Flax Low Twist Roving Tex 400
Flax Low Twist Roving Tex 1000
Flax Low Twist Roving Tex 2000
Hemp Low twist Roving Tex 200
Hemp Low twist Roving Tex 400
WOVEN REINFORCEMENT
Impregnatable flax or hemp fabrics
From our Flax Low-Twist Roving Tex 200 :
Safi Twill 250 F – 2/2 Twill – 250 gsm – Width : 125 cm
Safi UD 250 F – Unidirectional – 250 gsm – Width : 125 cm
Safi UD 150 F – Unidirectional – 150 gsm – Width : 125 cm
From our Flax Low-Twist Roving Tex 400 :
Safi Twill 500 F – 2/2 Twill – 500 gsm – Width : 125 cm
Safi Twill 250 F – 2/2 Twill – 250 gsm – Width : 125 cm
Safi UD 500 F – Unidirectional – 500 gsm – Width : 125 cm
Safi UD 150 F – Unidirectional – 150 gsm – Width : 125 cm
From our Hemp Low-Twist Roving Tex 400 :
Safi Twill 500 H – 2/2 Twill – 500 gsm – Width : 125 cm
Safi UD 500 H – Unidirectional – 500 gsm – Width : 125 cm
PROPERTIES
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
LOW DENSITY
-40% less than fibreglass
HIGH SPECIFIC STIFFNESS AND RESISTANCE
Up to 30% more specific stiffness than glass.
FLEXION PROPERTIES
French flax has unique flexion properties compared with glass and carbon reinforced composites: greater flexion hence less likely to break.
VIBRATION DAMPING
Up to twice as absorbent as glass and three times as absorbent as carbon*.
* based on the result of flax epoxy composite exposed to frequency of 1 Hz at 25°C
THERMAL INSULATION
15 to 30% better insulation compared to glass.
SOUNDPROOFING
Up to 15% better absorption compared to glass*.
* based on flax epoxy composite
RADIOWAVE TRANSPARENCY
15% less permittivity for 17% signal attenuation and 10% more velocity than glass composites.
PROCESS
- Compatible with technical textile and composite processing
- Drapability
- Harmless for working health
- Reduced wear on machining and production tools
- Very low impact on the environment
- 100% biodegradable linen yarn
- New design aspect
OUR R&D LABORATORY
We have many projects underway at our Flax Lab: internally with the constant improvement and development of our products; and in partnership with the automotive, rail and wind turbine industries, just to mention a few.
EXEMPLARY PROJECTS
CULTURE IN: FLAX FIBRE SERVING INTERIOR DESIGN!
We are partners with the company CULTURE IN, a French startup which created VARIAN®.
Between texture and structure, VARIAN® is a rigid impregnated fabric which is customisable, easy and ready to use, and entirely bio-based. A real textile sheet made of flax, it combines technical sophistication and aesthetics for the eco-design, layout and decoration of healthy and elegant living spaces.
VARIAN® meets the requirements of the industrial sector, combining comfort and technical performance with respect for the environment for living spaces for boats, planes and trains.
THE KAIROS PROJECT: FLAX FIBRES SERVING THE BOAT INDUSTRY
Safilin is also part of the adventure led by KAIROS, designer of the Gwalaz concept boat.
KAIROS worked closely with the TRICAT shipyard to build the 23.5 model, launched on 28 May 2013. Laboratory tests with IFREMER Brest, supported by the University of Bretagne Sud, confirmed the possibility to replace standard composites such as fibreglass and PVC core with biobased materials, such as flax fibres, cork, balsa wood and a resin containing 30% plant molecules.
The region of Brittany funded the unique prototype as part of its eco-innovation programme. Gwalaz was used by the Breton Lost in the Swell team. After this, Barravel and Des Ile Usions, Ronan Gladu, Aurélien Jacob and Ewenn Le Goff navigated from island to island exploring new waves, the coastline and meeting local residents.
In 2017, Gwalaz was modified for the addition of the prototype of an innovative propulsion wing for the reduction of fuel by transport craft.
Discover our know-how
Learn about every step, from the selection of the best fibres and blending to traceability and a storage service.