Safe Life Defense, LLC, a leading supplier of body armor in the United States, has filed a lawsuit against Avient Protective Materials LLC for breach of contract and violations under the Lanham Act. The complaint was filed on January 20, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Safe Life Defense accuses Avient of unlawfully refusing to supply essential materials necessary for their NIJ-certified body armor products, which are crucial for military and law enforcement personnel.
The dispute centers around a Supply Agreement between Safe Life Defense and Avient that automatically renewed for an additional year starting January 1, 2026. Despite this renewal, Avient’s Director of Regional Business Management, Chuck Rutkowski, informed Safe Life on January 14, 2026, that they would cease supplying Dyneema material immediately. This decision was reportedly based on Rutkowski’s personal mission to avoid doing business with companies using any Chinese content in their products. However, Safe Life contends that its products are not in breach of the agreement and emphasizes that all its operations are U.S.-based.
Safe Life argues that without emergency injunctive relief from the court, it will be unable to fulfill orders for its life-saving body armor products due to the lack of Dyneema material. This could result in significant delays for law enforcement agencies acquiring necessary protective gear and could potentially lead to harm or loss of life. Additionally, Safe Life warns that it faces imminent shutdown and layoffs if Avient’s actions persist.
In their complaint, Safe Life seeks several forms of relief from the court. They request compensatory damages for breach of contract and product disparagement under the Lanham Act. They also seek declaratory judgment affirming Avient’s obligation to supply Dyneema until January 1, 2027. Furthermore, they demand temporary injunctive relief requiring Avient to continue fulfilling orders under the Supply Agreement and preventing further disparaging statements about Safe Life’s products.
Representing Safe Life Defense in this case are attorneys Michael N. Ungar from UB Greensfelder LLP and Jon R. Steiger from Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC. The case is presided over by Judge [Name] with Case ID: 1:26-cv-00136.
Source: 126cv00136_Safe_Life_Defense_LLC_v_Avient_Protective_Materials_LLC_Complaint_Northern_District_Ohio.pdf
