- The 2025 DuPont Innovation Awards were held at the A+A show in Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Entries focused on reducing PPE's environmental footprint and addressing new hazards like electric vehicle fires.
- Winning products included Nomex® Comfort fabric with EcoForce™ finish and post-consumer Nomex® Recycled garments.
- Kevlar® innovations included TEGERA® welding gloves and the Kevlar® SoftShield 379 Level A9 Liner.
Event Overview
The 2025 DuPont Innovation Awards for Thermal and Mechanical Protection took place at the A+A show in Düsseldorf, Germany. This marked the first global edition, focusing on new products using Nomex® or Kevlar® fabrics or fibers.
Focus Areas
Key themes included reducing the environmental footprint of PPE, enhancing recyclability, and addressing new hazards such as electric vehicle fires. Firefighter safety was a significant focus, with entries targeting particulate hazards.
Winning Innovations
In the Nomex® for Industrial PPE category, winners included Phenix protective clothing from Groupe Mulliez-Flory, featuring Nomex® Comfort fabric with EcoForce™ finish, and Iturri SA's post-consumer Nomex® Recycled garments. İşmont Tekstil's Weldforce Welding Suit and SureWerx's 40 Cal LAN Series Arc Flash Suit were also recognized.
Kevlar® Innovations
The Kevlar® for Industrial PPE category highlighted protective gloves like Ejendals' TEGERA® welding gloves, Escorts Advanced Textiles' Kevlar® SoftShield 379 Level A9 Liner, and PIP Global Safety's G-Tek® Paradox™ Cut Resistant Gloves. S.E.R.B. Regain Perform's Anti-laceration, Flame-Resistant, and Antistatic sleeve was also awarded.
Firefighter Protection
Firefighter protection innovations included Ibena Shanghai's Rambo Outershell Fabric, Kipas Mensucat Isletmeleri A.S.'s Nomex® Xtreme Max, and PGI Safety Ltd's BarriAire Carbon Laminate Nano Flex Particulate Hood. Alpex Protection Particulates' Nomex® Nano Flex LAM AIR hoods and Sofileta's 7158 Navy protective fire-resistant knit were also recognized.
