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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
...more

Footwear Industry Articles

Shlobo Designs: Foreign consumers appreciate handwork and the story behind the brand
Durban, KZN, SA – I’m a native of Umlazi’s K section, but I’ve called Seaview home since 1994.My life has been a tapestry of experiences, woven with threads of resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination. My journey took an unexpected turn when I was retrenched while working for the bank with a wealth expe ...more
National Leather and General Goods Strategy Workshop
On 23 June, following months of fieldwork, B&M Analysts (BMA) hosted an online workshop to discuss the recovery of the handbags, belts, travel goods and allied manufacturing industries in SA.The industries, although very diverse, fall under the General Goods & Handbags Sector of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Indus ...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

Leather Industry Articles

Sam Setter's 'Pills': Reality check II
So in February, COMESA announced they will launch a regional leather value chain strategy 2025-2029. That is as far as I know at least the third value chain strategy for the COMESA region. I think that it is legitimate to ask what happened to the preceding strategies apart from consuming tens of millions of dollars without tangible result ...more
Advancing industry standards: Delivering the first ESG audit for a leather chemical company
The Sustainable Leather Foundation’s (SLF’s) mission has always been to drive transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across the leather value chain. While much of the industry’s historic focus has been on tanneries and manufacturers, true transformation requires engagement at every stage, and that inclu ...more
CHROME BAN?
Detecting chromium at low concentrations isn’t hard – it’s detecting low levels of Cr(VI) in a cloud of Cr(III) that’s hard ...more

PPE Industry Articles

New OHS regulations coming into force later this year mean PPE needs to be reviewed, too
In March 2025, the Physical Agents Regulations (and their guidelines) and the Noise Exposure Regulations (and their guidelines) of the OHSAct were published, with an 18-month time-period promulgation date to September 2026, allowing employers time to upgrade their Health & Safety requirements to comply with the new published regulatio ...more
JCB Footwear steps into a new era
JCB Footwear has announced the relaunch of its product range in South Africa, marking a new chapter for the brand in partnership with newly appointed distributor, Kaliber Safety Footwear, which is no stranger to the industry with its own successful range of safety and security footwear products.The relaunch introduces an entirel ...more
SA's first PPE conference draws top speakers
The Safety First Association and SAPEMA hosted SA’s first PPE conference in March, cramming 20 papers into a 2-day event, which also featured a number of PPE supplier stands. Here, we carry edited versions of 7 of them to illustrate the diversity of the topics. We expect to carry more in the next edition.As several speakers pointed ...more