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Highlights from A+A 2025

Published: 2nd Dec 2025

Author: Google AI recommended these are innovations from A+A. 2025

Head and Hearing Protection

3M™ PELTOR™ WS™ ALERT™ XPV Headset: This solar-powered headset features a patented film that charges the battery using both sunlight and indoor light, providing approximately 78 hours of working time. Photo: https://za.rs-online.com/

3M™ Speedglas™ G5-03 Welding Helmet: Developed in collaboration with welders, this helmet allows users to switch between welding and grinding modes by simply tapping the helmet. Photo: 3M

Zenith X MAX and Quantum Series Helmets: KASK introduced the Zenith X MAX, an industrial helmet designed for larger head sizes (up to 66cm), and updated the Quantum series for water rescue applications. Photo: Kask Safety

Hand and Body Protection

HexArmor Helix Impact Protection Gloves: Uvex launched new gloves using i2™ technology that reduces material thickness by 30% while maintaining high impact protection, making them more breathable and flexible. Photo: wantitall.co.za

HyFlex® and AlphaTec® Gloves: Ansell showcased next-generation gloves, including the HyFlex® 11-574 (thinner for better sensitivity) and AlphaTec® series gloves combining high-level chemical resistance with cut protection. Photo: Amazon.co.za

Tyvek® APX™ Fabric: DuPont unveiled this new, advanced fabric for disposable chemical garments that offers outstanding breathability to reduce heat buildup without compromising on protection or durability. Photo: DuPont

Durak Cut-Safe and Fire-Safe Threads: Durak Tekstil launched technical threads designed to increase worker safety, including cut-resistant and flame-retardant options. Photo: durak.com

Foot Protection

Vibram Megagrip Pro: Vibram introduced a new high-performance rubber sole, inspired by mountaineering, designed to provide exceptional grip and stability on both wet and dry surfaces. Photo: Vibram

Connected and Smart Technologies

ALTAIR ™ 6 Multigas Detector: MSA Safety showcased the European debut of this cellular-connected six-gas detector with an integrated pump, which integrates with their MSA Grid software for real-time monitoring and alerts. Photo: PSA Africa

Dräger X-plore® 8300 PAPR: Draeger introduced the lightest-in-class powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), which uses a motor to provide filtered air and has an IP67 rating (water-resistant). Photo: draeger.com

'X-ble Shoulder' Wearable Robot: Hyundai's Robotics LAB presented this exoskeleton to help workers performing repetitive overhead tasks by reducing shoulder stress by up to 60%. Photo: Hyundai

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A+A 2025: Product launches were aimed at the European market, but new technology – and fashion – will slowly make their way to Africa
Show report from Messe DüsseldorfDüsseldorf, Germany (7 November 2025) – The theme for A+A 2025 was ‘People matter’.2,340 exhibitors from 70 countries presented a spectrum of products, technologies and innovations for a safe, healthy and sustainable world of work in 13 exhibition halls. There were 67,000 trade ...more
Comments from South African visitors to A+A 2025
We asked for feedback from South African companies that visited A+A 2025. ...more

A+A Düsseldorf 2025: Show report | Highlights | Feedback from South African Visitors
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Footwear Industry Articles

Retail: ‘If you can’t make what’s needed, retail can’t sell what you make’
“I have had a consistent message for manufacturers from when the Masterplan started,” said Michael Lawrence, executive director of the National Clothing Retail Federation (NCRF). “Bring us what can sell to consumers, and we’ll buy it. There are some caveats, of course, around issues like value, design, branding, su ...more
Duty evasion, false country of origin and labelling main targets: NCC and SARS ‘sign MoU to strengthen compliance’
Media statement issued jointly by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) and SA Revenue Service (SARS)Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (06 May 2026) – The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance consumer protection against the proliferation of ...more
The Chinese sports brand taking on Nike and Adidas
Chinese sportswear brand Anta counts Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu among its brand ambassadorsChina's economy was just starting to open up in the late 1980s when a determined high school dropout made his way to Beijing with 600 pairs of shoes.Ding Shizhong had them made in a relative's factory and now he was going to sell them. The mo ...more

Leather Industry Articles

Removal of bisphenol compounds from leather using laccase enzymes
IntroductionBisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol F (BPF), and Bisphenol S (BPS) are chemicals that have been shown to exhibit estrogenic effects and reproductive toxicity. These compounds disrupt hormonal balance, leading to reproductive and developmental toxicity, neuroendocrine dysfunction, immune system suppression, DNA damage, and chromosoma ...more
African leather businesses holding LWG and SLF ratings
As African leather manufacturers strive to grow their exports, the number which have qualified for ratings by the Leather Working Group (LWG) and the Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF) is growing.By country, LWG lists the following:Algeria: Sarl Tannerie Ain FakrounBurkina Faso: Mona Industry SARL.Egypt: El Montaza Tannery, Piel Color C ...more
Sam Setter's 'Pills': A different perspective
One reader, Marc, commented on my March Pill: ‘Sam, the real frustration isn’t the criticism itself. It’s that we haven't been able to get our message outside our own echo chamber. I'm interested. How would you see the leather industry actually breaking through that barrier? In 2026, trust rarely comes from industry stat ...more

PPE Industry Articles

China-made firefighting equipment now needs verification of conformity with SANS standards
Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – Firefighting equipment is among the 25 product categories published on 01 April by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition for a mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) Programme.The system will require certain goods shipped from China to be tested and certified before they enter the ...more
The PPE Conference – PPE isn’t optional, it’s essential: A review
Leighton Bennett, the Safety First Association chairperson and a SHE and risk management consultantThe hosts of this first PPE Conference held in South Africa, were the Safety First Association and SAPEMA, on the 10 and 11 March 2026, at the Emperor’s Palace, in Kempton Park.This conference objectives were to provide a unique opport ...more
Biodegradable disposable gloves ‘a growing trend’ in PPE
The poster is available to download in English in both PNG and PDF formats hereCompostable and biodegradable PPE are said to be rapidly growing trends internationally, lead by brands like Showa and HaPPE Earth.The nova-Institut für politische und ökologische Innovation GmbH in Hürth, Germany, has published an updated versio ...more