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Fabrics for workwear at the A+A trade fair

Components, fabrics and pre-products

Workwear plays a crucial role in many professions - it offers protection, comfort and influences the wearer's performance. But what really makes good workwear? Selecting the right components and materials is crucial in the manufacture of personal protective clothing, as it has a major impact on the quality, durability, safety and sustainability of the clothing and increases wearer comfort.
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At A+A, manufacturers of fabrics and components present themselves in bundles. Talk to experts about procurement, production and services around PPE.

Whether labels, applications and emblems for a professional corporate design, pre-products for the production of modern work shoes - product developers, designers, buyers and manufacturers of PPE will find the entire range of components and accessories for the production of contemporary protective workwear in Halls 16 and 17. Finding new trends and solutions quickly is supported and simplified by the new routing. Visitors will find both halls quickly via the East Entrance.

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Selection criteria for the right fabric

The selection of the right components and materials is crucial in the manufacture of personal protective clothing, as it has a major influence on the quality, durability, safety and sustainability of the clothing and increases wearing comfort.

Functionality and protection

The main function of any workwear is to protect the wearer from the specific hazards of their workplace at the company. The fabric should therefore be tailored to the specific requirements of the job, such as heat resistance, chemical resistance or cut resistance.

Breathability and comfort

Breathable materials are essential to ensure comfort, especially during physically strenuous work or in warm environments. They allow perspiration to evaporate and keep the wearer dry and cool.

Durability

Workwear made from durable materials can withstand daily wear and tear and ensure that the product maximises its lifespan. A hard-wearing fabric is resistant to tears, abrasion and, in the best case, colourfast.

Easy care

Workwear should be easy to clean and withstand several wash cycles without losing its shape or function. An easy-care material saves time and money and ensures that the workwear is always ready for the next working day.
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Hall and site plans

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The different types of fabrics

The term "fabric" refers to fabrics or materials from which workwear is made. These materials vary in different aspects - from their resilience to their comfort. To make an informed decision about the most suitable fabric, it is essential to understand the characteristics and benefits of the most common fabrics: Cotton, polyester and blended fabrics.

Cotton

Cotton is a classic material for workwear. It is soft, comfortable and known for its breathability. The material can absorb a lot of moisture and is therefore ideal for hot and physically demanding working environments. However, it is less resistant to tears and heavy wear and tends to shrink with frequent washing.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic material that is particularly valued for its strength and durability. It is resistant to wear, stretching and many chemicals. It also dries quickly and is very easy to care for because it hardly creases and retains its shape. The disadvantage: it offers less breathability than cotton.

Blended fabrics

Blended fabrics, which combine natural and synthetic fibres, are an excellent choice for workwear. They combine the benefits of cotton and polyester by combining breathability with durability and ease of care. A common blend ratio is 65% polyester and 35% cotton, but other combinations are possible depending on specific needs.

Special coatings and treatments

Coatings for workwear fabrics

The choice and treatment of the right material is not only crucial in the manufacture of workwear, but also plays an important role for work shoes and safety shoes. The performance and durability of these items can be significantly optimised through special coatings and treatments. Two particularly common special treatments are used for fabrics that are used in both workwear and safety footwear, namely impregnation against dirt and water and fire protection treatments. This is because occupational safety is a top priority in hazardous occupational fields.

The function of water and dirt repellent impregnation is to significantly extend the life of textiles. This coating ensures that water and oil roll off the fabric surface and prevents dirt from penetrating the fibres. This makes cleaning much easier and ensures that the wearer remains dry and comfortable even in damp conditions.

Production of modern work shoes with different materials and technologies

In addition, the use of flame retardants plays an enormous role in certain professions where there are potential dangers from heat or flames. Appropriate treatment with special chemicals makes work clothing and shoes flame-retardant and, in the event of a fire, can provide crucial seconds to escape or extinguish the fire. There are different protection classes to define the treatment of textile fabrics.

Work shoes also require special treatment to ensure slip resistance and abrasion resistance. The non-slip treatment of the shoe sole is crucial to prevent accidents on slippery or uneven surfaces. In addition, an abrasion-resistant sole treatment can significantly extend the life of the footwear by improving the shoe's resistance to wear.

These treatments and coatings therefore make a significant contribution to increasing the safety and durability of safety footwear. They help to fulfil the requirements of a wide range of working environments and therefore make an essential contribution to occupational safety.

Sustainable fabric alternatives

The growing importance of environmental protection and sustainability is prompting both companies and individuals to look at more environmentally friendly alternatives. This also applies to the workwear sector. The use of more environmentally friendly materials plays a central role in our efforts to protect the planet and minimise the harmful effects of our industries on the environment. Organic cotton and recycled materials in particular offer promising solutions.

Sustainable fabric alternatives for safety clothing/workwear
  • Organic cotton serves as a sustainable alternative as it is grown without the use of harmful pesticides. This environmentally friendly approach offers advantages for the environment and also for the health of the workers in cotton cultivation and the wearers of the workwear. Despite its ecological origins, organic cotton remains just as soft and breathable as its conventional counterparts while offering a clean ecological conscience.
  • The use of recycled, natural materials in the production of workwear is another sustainable option for your business. Reusing existing materials, such as recycled polyester, minimises the need for new production and therefore reduces our environmental footprint. It is particularly noteworthy that recycled polyester, although it comes from the reuse process, has similar hard-wearing and easy-care properties to recycled polyester. 

High-quality branding for a professional corporate design for your company

Corporate design has become increasingly important in the modern working environment. By applying labels, appliqués and emblems to work clothing and shoes, companies can strengthen their brand image and stand out from the competition.

The importance of labels and emblems in corporate design

Labels and emblems are more than just decorative accessories - they have an important function in corporate communication. They make a decisive contribution to the perception and recognition value, the image of a brand. By using colours, shapes and logos, companies can send out a coherent and concise image of their brand and thus strengthen trust and loyalty among customers and employees.

Types of labels, applications and emblems

There are various types of labels, appliqués and emblems that can be used to reinforce identity depending on requirements and corporate design. These range from embroidered logos to high-frequency embossing, printed labels and woven patches. Each variant gives the workwear an individual character and allows scope for design in terms of colour, texture and dimension.

Positioning and design

The positioning and design of labels and emblems on work clothing and footwear is a decisive factor in achieving maximum visibility and recognition. Positions such as the collar, chest or sleeves of clothing are frequently chosen. The design should be in line with the overall corporate identity and take into account both functionality and aesthetics.

Application in various industries

The use of labels, appliqués and emblems varies depending on the industry. In some sectors, such as healthcare or catering, clear identification and role allocation are particularly important. In others, such as the construction industry, high-quality logos and brand emblems are a sign of professionalism and trustworthiness.

Sustainable and long-lasting options

With an increasing focus on sustainability, there are also more environmentally friendly options. These include labels and applications made from recycled materials or printed with eco-friendly inks. They offer a durable and sustainable way to customise workwear and footwear while protecting the environment.

Care instructions for workwear made from different fabrics

In order to maximise the service life of your workwear and maintain its functionality, it is important to care for it properly. Different fabrics require different care measures. Here are some basic guidelines that can help maintain the quality of your garments regardless of the material.

  • Cotton workwear can usually be machine washed, but should only be dried at low temperatures to avoid shrinkage. Bleach can be used on white cotton, but should be avoided on coloured cotton.
  • Polyester is easy to care for and machine washable at moderately high temperatures. However, it should not be treated with bleach. Due to its quick-drying properties, it is well suited for air drying.
  • The care of blended fabrics depends on the components. In most cases, however, lower temperatures are gentler on the fabric, both when washing and drying.
  • With the sustainable alternatives, you should proceed in a similar way to normal cotton fabric and polyester. However, special care instructions from the manufacturer should always be followed.
  • If special treatments such as impregnations or flame retardants are present, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions to maintain the effectiveness of these treatments.


Please always check the care instructions on the garment label before washing or drying, as these instructions are specific to the material and finish used.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss A+A

  • Complete overview of the entire value chain
  • Comprehensive range of products and solutions
  • Top rating: 98% visitor satisfaction
  • International industry meeting point: 48% from Germany | 37% from the rest of Europe | 15% from outside Europe
  • Exciting LIVE topics: Elaborately staged and highly practical
  • Compact expert knowledge: Including the A+A Congress (Europe’s largest discussion forum on occupational safety and health)
  • Prime location: State capital Düsseldorf | Next to the airport | Direct connection to the main train station | Short distance to the city center

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