The biannual trade show A+A in Düsseldorf is a must for everyone who is involved in safety and health at work. And it is an important newsroom for the latest technical textiles applied in protective clothing and work wear.
In 2011 the sector is heading for a new generation of protective wear: it combines multi-risk protection and high comfort such as sweat management, breathability and a cool hand. In work wear, on the other hand, sustainable fibres are on the move.
Besides its protective properties personal protective equipment (PPE) nowadays is required to offer high physical performance. Body cooling is essential to avoid heat stress and over-heating. It provides a better wearing comfort and flexibility.
Manufacturers intensify the use of flame retardant, high comfort fibres such as Lenzing FR. The cellulosic fibre seems to allow a "perfect" protective heat and flame resistant fabric as it combines high fastnesses against fire, flame and molten metal with a soft touch, a cool feeling on the skin and excellent moisture management properties.
At A+A 2011 many new fabrics were presented which are based upon the inherent flame retardant Modal fibre from
"By using 70% Lenzing FR in a blend with 15% para-Aramide and 15% other fibres it is possible to reduce transferred energy and second degree burns fabrics in flash fire exposure even in light weight material of 260 g/m²," points out Ivan Heyvaerts, Area Sales Manager from Utexbel in Ronse-Renaix from Belgium.
"Our LavaPro wovens do not show break-open and do not shrink due to a phenomenon of expanding during flame exposure, offering a high level of protection."
Disadvantages of synthetic fibres wear off
Providing better wearer comfort in tough jobs is an issue for modacrylic fibres, too. Yet, the inherent flame retardant fibre has not been known to offer a high grade of breathability. Therefore there has been work carried out at Waxman Fibres to develop a new, comfortable fibre blend which is available in four levels of protection, based on different end use criteria.
The company developed a blend of modacrylic fibres with FR viscose and combed untreated cotton which is supplied under the brand name of Protal. As Greg Cluskey, managing director of Waxman Fibres points out, the new fibre-blend "does not only offer extremely high levels of multi-hazard protection, but is also comfortable for the wearer and thanks to its unique breathability properties is ideal for people working in hot climates, as very light weight fabrics are available."
"Improving of safety, durability, comfort and price is a major topic that has been pushing on latest developments in PPE fabrics." says Martine Kok from TenCate Protective Fabrics in Nijverdal (
"Moreover sustainability is becoming increasingly important. TenCate therefore uses biological and eco-friendly fibres in its multi-risk protection fabrics."
The company replaced cotton fibres in its new TenCate Tecasafe XL line by special bio-cellulose fibres which absorbs perspiration into the fabric and offers high moisture regulation characteristics to the modacrylic based fabrics.
Another way to transport moisture away from the skin and help to keep the body temperature thermoregulated is by using multi-channel fibres which were especially designed for this purpose. Some years ago they have been established in the apparel industry where they offer a high level of sweat absorption to outdoor clothing and sportswear.
Now, a new flame retardant generation of multi-channel fibres is available. ThermoCool FR was presented by Advansa at the A+A show. The fibre is inherently flame retardant, self extinguishing with no-drip and permanently safe. It draws away sweat from the skin quickly in order to keep it dry, to provide a high wearier comfort and to maintain physical and mental effectiveness. According to its manufacturer it meets many flammability standards.