Rawlings announced its partnership with Rogers Corporation, manufacturer of PORON XRD Extreme Impact Protection Material, around its latest line of Rawlings shoulder pads. Upon impact, the PORON XRD high performance molecules create a protective shield that is capable of absorbing up to 90% of the most intense force, according to Rawlings.

The new protective material is featured exclusively in the recently released Rawlings AIMS shoulder pad line and is being extended into other Rawlings product lines in the coming months.

“Rawlings is constantly exploring the latest break-through technologies and materials to ensure that we can produce the most innovative gear in the market,” said Art Chou, Rawlings Vice-President, Product. “We’re excited about our partnership with Rogers Corporation and the PORON  XRD technology as it’s enabled our company to create a shoulder pad that offers a unique competitive advantage to football athletes.”

“Rogers Corporation is dedicated to providing our customers with the latest in unique material solutions,” said Dave Sherman, Rogers Corporation New Business Development Manager, “We are excited about the new lines of Rawlings products with PORON XRD Protection because they will not only offer athletes the best in impact protection but also help to raise the standard for other protection equipment.”

Rawlings said it revamped its entire football protective line for the 2010 fall season. Todd Hewitt, one of the most respected equipment managers in pro football, joined the Rawlings Advisory Staff and was instrumental in the development of the new AIMS line that features the PORON XRD Technology.