AW Hainsworth Awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation
6th May 2026
We are proud to announce that AW Hainsworth has been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.
The business has been recognised for our development of ECO-DRY – a premium fabric used in PPE worn by 70% of wildland firefighters in Australia, a groundbreaking contribution to firefighter safety and wellbeing.
Introduced in 2013 in response to updated Australian safety standards, ECO-DRY’s unique fibre blend and technical properties support wildfire responders in facing the complex challenges of their role. A pioneering blend of man-made flame-retardant fibres and natural merino wool, ECO-DRY is lighter, more comfortable and more breathable than traditional wildland firefighting PPE fabric, designed to be worn as a single layer for long stretches while retaining its protective properties.
Developed in collaboration with Australian firefighters and our garment partners Stewart and Heaton, ECO-DRY is now the wildland fabric of choice for Australia’s fire services. And as the impact of climate change leads to an increased risk of wildfires worldwide, ECO-DRY’s proven technology is perfectly placed to protect firefighters in Europe.
AW Hainsworth has been supporting emergency services with protective fabrics for over 150 years, combining the natural fire-resistant properties of wool with the latest advanced textile technologies. We continue to innovate, making PPE garments lighter, stronger and safer.
Amanda McLaren
Managing Director at AW Hainsworth
“We’re so pleased that this prestigious award has recognised our ground-breaking work in the PPE market. AW Hainsworth remains committed to supporting emergency services globally with materials that combine British craft, technical excellence, and uncompromising safety.”
The King’s Award
The King’s Award for Enterprise is one of the UK’s highest business honours. Just 185 organisations have been recognised by the awards body this year, across categories including innovation, international trade, sustainability and promoting opportunity.
