In today’s industrial environment, it is crucial to ensure the safety and protection of workers against workplace hazards. One of the most significant dangers is the risk of arc flashes and flash fires, which can result in severe injury or even death. Flame-resistant (FR) clothing is designed to protect workers from these hazards. However, one of the most innovative and advanced types of FR clothing is multinorm FR ARC products.
Sioen’s multinorm products were specially developed for environments that are subject to multiple risks in which high-level clothing is needed to protect employees against all kinds of threats. Whatever the cause, multinorm clothing significantly reduces the chance of serious injury in the event of an accident. Sioen have developed their range so that they can offer quality protection in every layer of your garment.
Sioen’s new sustainable multinorm range has been developed to be the best solution for all different types of protection levels. The products have been made considering comfort, ease of use, maintenance, and sustainability. Whilst developing the range, they have taken the below three points into consideration to make sure the products are environmentally friendly as possible:
- Efficient use of raw materials.
- An eco-design to extend the lifespan of the products.
- Eco-design for reusing/dismantling & recycling.
Efficient use of raw materials
Sioen aims to maximise the output that can be obtained from the resources used in production processes, while minimizing waste and environmental impact. Sioen uses lighter materials in the production of their products while ensuring the required protection level and expected lifespan of the product is not compromised. As a result, they automatically use less raw materials.
Where possible, recycled (e.g. r-PET) or (bio-) renewable raw materials are being gradually introduced with the lowest possible footprint in terms of CO2 emissions, water and energy consumption, use of chemicals, etc.
Using renewable raw materials
Sioen uses renewable raw materials for their sustainable products, such as Tencel™ Lyocell fibres, which are 100% bio-cellulose from sustainably produced wood. The advantages are the following:
- Almost 100% of the wood and pulp used to make the Lyocell fibre is FSC® or PEFC™ certified or checked.
- No pesticides are needed in contrast to the growing of cotton.
- Converting wood pulp into bio-cellulose fibres is a closed cycle. Up to 99.8% of chemicals and solvents are recycled.
- Up to 21 x less water needed compared to growing cotton.
Using recycled raw materials
For the sustainable range, Sioen uses sustainable raw materials, such as r-PES, which are 100% thermoplastic recycled polyester.
Eco-design for extending the lifespan
Another benefit of multinorm FR ARC products is that they are highly durable and long-lasting. The materials used to manufacture these garments are engineered to withstand harsh industrial environments, making them an excellent investment for businesses. These garments are also easy to maintain and wash, which ensures their longevity and extends their lifespan.
The longer we can continue to use the same protective clothing, the lower the product’s impact on the environment. Ultimately, this also significantly reduces the “total cost of ownership”.
Choosing materials with the highest possible lifespan results in replacing PPE less often.
The following elements are important in the choice of materials:
- Paying attention to a high mechanical strength (tear strength, abrasion, pilling, etc.) and good colour fastness, during use and after washing.
- Increasing the maximum number of washing and drying cycles of fabrics and components.
- Choosing better wash-resistant finishes.
- Setting high requirements in terms of resistance to hydrolysis (moisture, temperature, etc.) for plastics (adhesives, coatings, laminates, etc.).
Eco-design for reuse /dismantling & recycling
Eco-design means that from the protective clothing’s conception, what will happen to the garment when it can no longer be used for its intended purpose is also considered.
The following matters should be considered:
- striving for a maximum homogeneity in the choice of materials and components,
- the technical and economic feasibility of disassembling and sorting clothing materials,
- and removing disruptive components for recycling.
Considering those three basic principles, the Sioen sustainable multinorm products were developed and produced. To find out more about Sioen sustainable range contact your local Service Centre!
