Meeting your sustainability and safety obligations is a tricky balance – ProGARM’s new sustainable arc flash protective clothing range helps you do both.
We’re known for being arc flash specialists. And in a world-first we’ve launched a range which looks and, crucially, performs, just like our regular arc flash garments, but with a few key differences making it a truly sustainable option.
After extensive research and development working with fabric specialists across Europe, ProGARM’s new range features the maximum amount of recycled content possible while still creating a fabric and garments that meet the stringent safety standards required for arc flash protection. It uses 20% recycled fabric content, taken from off-cuts from making ProGARM’s regular range – the first arc flash range in the world to achieve this.
The first to use recycled content in arc flash PPE
Until now it’s been difficult to use recycled content in life-saving PPE garments because of the need to guarantee protection and understand the origin of any recycled material. Using off-cuts from ProGARM’s own production and putting them back into the production process removes question marks over quality and protection levels of other recycled content which may have suffered degradation to the protection it offers.
Using this unworn fabric enables this range to have some recycled content and the same life-saving protection.
Other sustainable features include:
- Sustainable, carbon neutral packaging, made from a plant-based polymer which is a waste product from the sugar industry
- Manufactured in mainland Europe and transported by sea and land in consolidated loads. No ProGARM product travels more than 1900 miles to reach its UK destination (up to 60% less than other suppliers), with deliveries carefully planned to minimise mileage, reducing the number of deliveries by 10% in 2021/22
All of this supports organisations in minimising their impact, contributing to achieving their sustainability goals.
Meeting high standards – the sustainable arc flash protective clothing range
Five coveralls, one jacket, and four pairs of trousers in men’s and women’s cuts make up the new range. Available in three colourways – including high-vis yellow, navy blue, and a combination of navy and high-vis yellow – the range has been designed to offer the most popular and useful garments for anyone requiring arc flash protection, while passing all relevant tests and standards.
The range is certified for standards covering arc flash (APC1, ELIM 8cal), flame resistance (EN11612, A1 + A2), welding (EN11611), anti-static (EN1149-5), and high visibility. So it not only performs the way other arc flash garments do, but has materially less impact.
The arc flash protection is inherent, meaning it can’t be washed out and helping the workwear provide protection for longer.
ProGARM, renowned for making protective workwear which lasts up to 70% longer than the industry average, is the first company to launch a certified arc flash range containing recycled fabric.
Our other arc flash sustainability initiatives
The new range comes after ProGARM created the first repair programme for arc flash PPE in 2021, which helps with sustainability by making minor repairs to garment components such as zips and fastenings to extend the life of the clothing. With arc flash clothing, even a small rip which happens during the rigorous workday of the wearer would mean it no longer offered the life-saving protection needed, and would mean it had to be thrown away. The combination of ProGARM’s focus on durability and the option for small repairs to fastenings means their range can last up to 70% longer than competitor options.
The company has also partnered with a leading textile recycler to offer end-of-life recycling for all its products so they can be recycled, making sure ProGARM products don’t become part of the 350,000 tonnes of textile waste send to landfill in the UK every year.
ProGARM aims to be carbon neutral throughout all its operations and the whole supply chain (scopes 1, 2 and 3) by the end of 2025.
View the sustainable collection
The new range will be available via distributors from November 2022. For more details, give our team of specialists a call on +44 (0) 1482 679600 or email info@progarmcurrent.wpengine.com.
Make sure that you’re specifying the right PPE for your team.
Read our free guide on the top considerations when choosing Arc Flash clothing & PPE below and make the best choice for you and your team via the link below ⬇.
