When it comes to heavy-duty tarpaulin and cover applications, fabric failure rarely starts in the middle of the material. It starts at the joins. The welds. The stress points.
And more often than not, that weakness can be traced back to how the fabric was coated in the first place.
That’s exactly why Tarpol is different.
Tarpol is a PVC coated tear-resistant polyester scrim, engineered specifically for applications where strength, longevity and reliability are essential — including tarpaulins, roll-over tarps, ute and trailer covers, and grain bin protection. But what truly sets Tarpol apart is the advanced knife-coating process used during manufacturing.
Why Knife-Coating Matters
Most PVC fabrics are manufactured with a lamination process that can lead to uneven coating adhesion across the polyester base fabric. Over time, this can contribute to delamination. cracking, weaker weld integrity and reduced long-term durability.
Tarpol, however, is produced using a superior knife-coating process where liquid PVC is applied with precision and consistency across the base fabric. Sioen also only use the best plasticisers and pigments available.
This results in:
- Greater adhesion to the base fabric
- Enhanced weld strength
- Greater resistance to cracking
- More uniform coating performance
- Improved long-term structural integrity
In simple terms: the coating becomes a true part of the fabric, not just a layer sitting on top of it.
Engineered for Demanding Environments
Tarpol has always been manufactured by Sioen, industry pioneers known for premium European quality. Its base cloths tear-resistant weave pattern provides additional structural stability, making it ideal for high-tension, high-movement applications such as transport and agricultural covers.
Key technical features include:
- Nominal weight: 700 gsm
- Thickness: 0.55 mm
- Base fabric: 1100 dtex polyester
- Fabric density: 8 x 8 threads/cm²
- Gloss acrylic lacquer finish both sides
- UV stabilised to resist fading
- Roll widths: 250 cm and 320 cm
These specifications combine to create a fabric that performs consistently under stress, movement and prolonged exposure in the harsh Australian environment.
Tear-Resistant by Design
The tear-resistant woven polyester base fabric provides exceptional resistance to wing tear and tensile stress. For fabricators and end users, this means confidence when producing large covers, tarps and protective solutions that will be exposed to demanding conditions. If the fabrice has been punctured, it will not tear in the warp or weft direction. This will eliminate total failure in a cover.
Where Tarpol Performs Best
Tarpol has been engineered specifically for:
- Tarpaulins and roll-over tarpaulins
- Ute and box trailer covers
- Grain bin covers
- Transport and agricultural protection
These are applications where weld strength, crack resistance and long-term durability are not optional — they’re essential.
A Fabric That Works With Fabricators
Beyond performance, Tarpol is practical in the workshop. Available in 250 cm and 320 cm roll widths across a broad colour range, it allows for efficient fabrication and reduced joins on larger applications.
The gloss acrylic lacquer finish on both sides also improves handling, resistance to soiling and cleanability while maintaining a premium appearance in the finished product.
Proven Performance, Built In From the Start
Tarpol isn’t simply strong because it’s heavy-duty PVC. It’s strong because of how it’s made.
The knife-coating process ensures that every metre of fabric delivers consistent performance, superior weld integrity and long-term reliability in the environments that demand it most.
When you choose Tarpol, you’re choosing a fabric built for the way real-world tarpaulins and covers are used.
Tarpol has been used in Australia for over 25 years and has stood the test of time. The unique rectangle pattern in the woven base cloth clearly identifies the fabric.
Learn more about Tarpol or request a sample from the team at Ricky.
