A manufacturer of high tech motorcycle gear has raised £500,000 which it believes will help it triple sales.

Covec, which makes fabrics that prevent motorcyclists from being burned in crashes, was the first company to benefit from the Clydesdale Bank’s Emerging Technology Unit (ETU), which was started last year.

The cash will mean the firm can produce more stock and develop new products for other firms, using its patented fabric – also called Covec.

Among the products being worked on are fabrics for those working in dangerous environments, together with "slash and stab" clothing for military personnel.

Covec chief executive Keith Bloxsome, a former Speedway racer, said: “We have the only purpose-made material for the motorcycle industry and there’s lots of potential growth in selling to like-minded brands.”

The fabric utilises the same fibres as those used by NASA on the Mars Rover expeditions. As such, Covec can resist both heat and cuts.

Demand for Covec’s products is increasing sharply in Australia and the USA, while globally 25 countries now import Covec's wares.

Many younger motorcyclists may benefit from Covec's products, according to the firm, which says Riders want to wear the leather suits worn by professional racers, but can only afford cheaper polyester or nylon versions.

Mr Bloxsome said: “Kids are copying the suit style but these melt in friction injuries. We made an undersuit, which has superb low transfer of heat qualities."

“We tested it with a soldering iron and it doesn’t melt.

"We’ve already had one message of gratitude from a father whose son was trapped under his bike’s red-hot exhaust engine. He thought he would be badly burned but there was only a red mark from the radiated heat.”

As many of our motorcycle breakdown cover customers are aware, motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury than motorists, so the arrival of products such as these are welcome.

What do you think of Covec?