HistoryAlbany International Research Co. (AIRESCO) was founded in 1942 as a private company under the name Fabric Research Laboratories. The founders were Walter Hamburger, Ken Fox and Ernest Kaswell. These men were focused on emerging textile technology and the need to develop and apply synthetic textile materials for high performance applications. Their first contract was with the US Army Air Force and the subject was determining how to make parachutes from synthetic nylon, a replacement for natural silk.
Fabric Research Laboratories' initial competency was in textile physics. Success with this competency provided a means for expanding and developing new competencies in polymer chemistry, polymer processing, textile processing and composites. Fabric Research Laboratories' success with these competencies allowed the organization to grow and become recognized as a premier R&D center for textile technology.
In 1972 Albany International Corp. purchased Fabric Research Laboratories to serve as a Corporate R&D center. Prior to the acquisition Albany International was a regular customer of Fabric Research Laboratories. The acquisition fulfilled Albany International's strategic need for competencies in synthetic textile materials as these materials were a growing trend in markets served by Albany International Corp. After the acquisition Fabric Research Laboratories adopted the name FRL. This name was changed to Albany International Research Co. in 1981.
Albany International Research Co. has been and continues to be quite diverse in its business experience and activities. The activities include Thermonetics, a dryer fabric that changed the paper industry; textile materials for NASA's space programs; the study of spider silk; synthetic biomedical materials and biomedical devices; conversion of starch powder into starch fiber, hollow fibers for dispensing insect pheromones; hollow fibers for reverse osmosis and gas separation; synthetic meat substitutes based on soy proteins; adsorptive fibers for chemical warfare protection; reactive fibers for chemical warfare protection; biaxially oriented films made from ordered polymers; high temperature superconducting wire; multilayer interlock braided structures; and thermoplastic composites to name a few. The breadth and depth of the company's competencies made and continue to make Albany International Research Co. an attractive organization for partnering in business development.