Recognition highlights sustainable, multi-hazard protection and next-gen firefighter gear
DuPont has announced the winners of its 2025 Innovation Awards for Thermal and Mechanical Protection, marking the first time the awards were open to global submissions. The program honours cutting-edge PPE and emergency response products that incorporate Nomex® and Kevlar® materials.
Revealed at the A+A safety trade show in Düsseldorf, the awards spotlighted innovations addressing today’s most pressing PPE risks — from electrical hazards and chemical exposure to emerging threats such as electric vehicle fires and firefighter particulate contamination.
“Bringing together innovations from all regions for the first time, these awards showcase the future of multi-hazard PPE that also supports sustainability,” said Stephanie Vrakas, global market leader at DuPont Personal Protection.
Entries were judged across four categories: Nomex® for Industrial PPE, Kevlar® for Industrial PPE, Nomex® Fabrics, and Nomex® & Kevlar® for Emergency Response.
PPE designed for evolving risks
Winners in the Nomex® for Industrial PPE category included France’s Groupe Mulliez-Flory for its Phenix garments made with Nomex® Comfort and EcoForce™ finish, and Spain’s Iturri SA for PPE made from 30% recycled Nomex®. Türkiye’s İşmont Tekstil was recognized for its flame- and heat-resistant welding suit, while SureWerx (USA) earned an award for its lightweight LAN Series 40 Cal Arc Flash Suit.
In the Kevlar® for Industrial PPE category, glove and sleeve innovations dominated. Winners included welding gloves from Sweden’s Ejendals, a high-cut protection liner by Pakistan’s Escorts Advanced Textiles, ultra-light cut-resistant gloves from PIP Global Safety (USA), and a flame-resistant sleeve from France’s S.E.R.B. Regain Perform.
Firefighter safety in focus
Firefighter and emergency response gear stood out in the remaining categories. China’s Ibena Shanghai developed the Rambo Outershell Fabric with 30% greater tensile strength, while Türkiye’s Kipas Mensucat was recognized for its Nomex® Xtreme Max fabric. UK-based PGI Safety and France’s Alpex Protection received awards for particulate-blocking hoods offering enhanced breathability and thermal protection.
Additional winners included Sofileta (France) for a knit fabric combining arc flash and chemical protection, and Germany’s Theodolf Fritsche GmbH for a highly durable elastic PPE fabric.
With hazards becoming more complex, these innovations offer new levels of protection for industrial workers and first responders alike — aligning with the growing demand in Canadian sectors for high-performance, sustainable PPE solutions.
