In Conversation with Wilkie’s CTO: Innovation In PVC Coated Textiles

With more than 150 years of heritage behind it, Wilkie is one of the most established names in coated textiles. But longevity alone doesn’t guarantee relevance.

We spoke with Wilkie’s Chief Technology Officer about the company’s origins, the role of PVC coated textiles today, and how innovation and sustainability are shaping the future of the industry.

Wilkie’s Story and What Sets It Apart

For readers who might not know Wilkie yet, can you tell us a bit about the company’s story and what makes it unique in the textiles industry?

Wilkie was founded over 150 years ago at our site in Kirriemuir, Scotland, and remains a privately owned, family-run company. What makes Wilkie unique is our commitment to “Make extraordinary happen” through continuous development of advanced materials and processes.

In 2022, we extended into coating application by integrating PVC coating capabilities directly into the Wilkie team, which has strengthened our ability to innovate and control quality across our coated fabric range.

What does being based in Scotland bring to the Wilkie brand and to the way you do business globally?

We develop our methods, tools and standards at our global head office in Scotland to ensure we deliver consistent products and a best-in-class customer experience worldwide.

At the same time, we have autonomous teams in the US and Asia who apply these standards locally, ensuring our products and services meet both global and regional requirements.

The Innovation Behind PVC Coated Textiles

For those less familiar, what exactly are PVC coated textiles, and where are they typically used?

PVC coated textiles are made from polyester or nylon base fabrics that are coated with layers of polyvinyl chloride. The fabric provides strength and flexibility, while the PVC coating delivers surface properties such as waterproofing, chemical resistance and flame retardancy.

They are widely used in applications such as tarpaulins, inflatable structures, upholstery and tentage.

How have recent advances in coating technology changed the performance or applications of PVC textiles?

One of the most important developments has been our ability to deliver an antimony-free formulation that still meets flame-retardancy requirements, while improving health and environmental compliance.

Across the wider industry, we’re also seeing progress in bio-based and biodegradable coatings, which supports circular economy goals and makes PVC products more environmentally responsible.

Performance, Value and Long-Term Reliability

In your view, what makes advanced PVC coated textiles a smarter choice for manufacturers or specifiers?

Wilkie’s PVC coated textiles offer a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to many similar products on the market. When performance over time is considered, they represent a strong long-term investment rather than a short-term cost saving.

How do Wilkie’s materials perform over time compared to cheaper alternatives?

Our PVC coated textiles retain their functional and cosmetic properties, including colour vibrancy, under extended UV exposure and general wear and tear. This durability is a key differentiator when products are used in demanding environments.

Global Reach, Local Control

Wilkie is a globally recognised name. What are some of the most exciting international markets or projects you’ve been involved in recently?

A key focus has been the development and application of antimony-free PVC formulations, which has generated significant interest across international markets where regulatory and sustainability requirements are increasing.

How do you balance serving large-scale global clients with maintaining quality?

Consistency comes from our strong quality management system, combined with autonomous teams on the shop floor using the Wilkie Production System. This approach ensures quality compliance at scale while maintaining accountability and precision in day-to-day operations.

Sustainability and What Comes Next

There’s growing scrutiny around PVC and plastics. How is Wilkie responding to this shift?

Our development team has focused on creating PVC coated fabrics that are free from antimony and phthalates – chemicals often associated with health and environmental concerns – while maintaining the performance our customers expect.

What innovations or R&D areas are you most excited about over the next few years?

Bio-PVC is a major area of interest, using renewable and sustainable feedstocks instead of petroleum-based materials. We’re currently in early feasibility discussions with partners such as Vita and Polyblend.

We’re also working towards the next generation of antimony-free PVC, with the goal of transitioning our entire range to antimony-free formulations with improved fire resistance.

Leadership and Perspective

What’s been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a leader in this industry?

This industry offers enormous opportunities to develop more sustainable materials and improve human health and safety. That impact extends beyond everyday applications into areas such as mountaineering, sports, medical and defence – often in challenging or adverse conditions.

As this conversation highlights, Wilkie’s approach to PVC-coated textiles is shaped by long-term thinking – combining performance, compliance and innovation rather than chasing short-term gains.

From antimony-free formulations to emerging bio-PVC developments, the focus remains on creating materials that perform reliably in demanding environments while responding to increasing expectations around health, safety and sustainability.

For Wilkie, the future of coated textiles is not defined by a single breakthrough, but by continuous, considered progress – built on technical expertise, global consistency and a clear sense of responsibility for how materials are used in the world.