Sectors
Wilkie works with industries where material performance is critical and reliability is non-negotiable.
With our process expertise and end-to-end manufacturing capability, we partner with customers across a wide range of sectors to deliver materials engineered for real-world performance.
Filtration
Woven technical textiles play a critical role in industrial filtration, particularly where strength, cleanability, and long service life are crucial.
While nonwovens dominate disposable filtration, woven fabrics remain essential in reusable, high-temperature, liquid, and industrial filtration systems, where performance is measured over years, not hours.
Typical applications include:
- Coal power plants
- Medical filters in masks
- Filters in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants
- Cement and municipal waste plants
Wilkie capabilities: Weaving, coating, slitting, knitting
Common fibres: Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic, Meta-aramid, PPS, PTFE
Defence
In defence applications, woven technical textiles are relied upon for survivability, reliability, and controlled performance in extreme environments.
Defence programmes prioritise materials that deliver consistent performance over long service lives. Woven textiles are used for their strength, environmental resistance and predictable behaviour under mechanical stress, abrasion, heat, moisture, and UV exposure.
Typical applications include:
- Parachutes
- Protective apparel
- Vehicle protection
- Accessories
Wilkie capabilities: Weaving, coating, slitting, cut and sew
Common fibres: Polyester, Nylon, Meta-aramid, Para-aramid, LCP
Aerospace
Woven technical textiles are mission-critical materials within the aerospace sector and are used wherever structural integrity, controlled permeability, fire performance, and dimensional stability are essential.
Unlike consumer or general industrial fabrics, aerospace textiles are governed by strict certification, traceability, and performance validation requirements, with product lifecycles often spanning decades. Woven textiles are selected for their predictability, structural reliability and ability to deliver performance over time.
Typical applications include:
- Aircraft structures
- Interiors
- Safety and recovery systems, including parachutes
- Composite manufacturing consumables such as peel ply and stabilising scrims
Wilkie capabilities: Weaving, coating, slitting
Common fibres: Meta-aramid, Para-aramid, Glass, Nylon, Polyester, PTFE
Energy
From traditional power generation to renewables, woven technical textiles support infrastructure across the energy sector by performing reliably in demanding conditions.
These materials are chosen for durability, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability, often in remote or hazardous environments where failure carries high risk and cost.
Typical applications include:
- Cable wrap
- Peel ply for wind turbine blades
- Nacelle covers
- Thermal insulation
Wilkie capabilities: Weaving, coating, slitting
Common fibres: Polyester, Nylon, Meta-aramid
Industrial
Woven technical textiles are enabling materials across a wide range of industrial applications, supporting processes that demand strength, durability, and repeatable performance.
Engineered for function over form, these materials are built to withstand continuous mechanical stress, abrasion, heat, and chemical exposure in heavy-duty environments.
Typical applications include:
- Abrasive fabrics
- Conveyor belts
- Coated and laminated textiles
- Packaging
Wilkie capabilities: Weaving, coating, slitting, knitting
Common fibres: Polyester, Nylon, Meta-aramids, Acrylic, PPS
Working with you
Many of the industries we serve face similar challenges, whether they involve durability, regulatory requirements, long service life or extreme environments. Our cross-sector experience allows us to apply proven solutions in new ways to meet your organisation’s specific requirements.
If you don’t see your sector listed, we still want to hear from you. Even if it’s never been done before, we’ll work with you to make it happen.