DuPont Joins Forces With Heriot-Watt University To Develop Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) For A Changing Workforce

DuPont (Dupont Personal Protection) has partnered with a renowned UK fashion design university to develop Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that is fit for today’s changing workforce.

The collaboration between Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design and DuPont Personal Protection aims to innovate protective clothing in line with evolving worker needs.

Evolving demographic makeup of the workforce

The demographic makeup of the workforce is evolving. The share of European women in employment rose from just over 58% in 2009 to over 64% ten years later, and is continuing to grow.

The workforce is also undergoing demographic ageing (1 in 5 workers in the European Union (EU) are over the age of 55 years) and is becoming more diverse due to migration.

Need for a new approach to PPE design

These trends call for a new approach to PPE design that maximizes variety, comfort, and ease of use

These trends call for a new approach to PPE design that maximizes variety, comfort, and ease of use. This is where DuPont’s collaboration with Heriot-Watt University comes in.

“We are committed to continuing innovating our materials and PPE design, to address the changing needs of workers around the world,” comments Valérie Pierret, the Global Market Development Leader at DuPont Personal Protection.

DuPont - Heriot-Watt University partnership

Valérie Pierret adds, “We decided to join forces with one of the leading fashion and textile research institutions in Europe to bring new, disruptive ideas to our garment design process.”

The project already generated over 500 pages filled with ideas, more than 20 prototype concepts and preliminary evaluations of the performance of the concepts. The School of Textiles and Design, located in Galashiels, Scotland, is a center of excellence for fashion, design and textiles that brings together talented students from across the globe.

New research project

The partnership between the School and DuPont paved the way for a new research project, involving a group of around 20 students and led by industrial and fashion technology expert, Assistant Professor - Bruce Munro Roberts.

Bruce Munro Roberts said, “Working on this collaborative project with DuPont provided the BSc Fashion Technology students with real life industry experience. The support for the students in terms of learning materials, sample PPE, fabrics and feedback exceeded our expectations, and overall, we were delighted to be working with this international company.”

DuPont provides team thorough overview of its solutions

DuPont provided the team with a thorough overview of its current solutions, relevant market information

DuPont provided the team with a thorough overview of its current solutions, relevant market information including voice of customer research findings and key regulatory requirements for Personal Protection Equipment.

With this information at hand, the students then received a detailed brief, including information on target applications, specific parameters for success, key requirements and desired deliverables.

Developing innovative PPE design solutions

The students quickly got up to speed with the subject and took inspiration from sportswear and outerwear to develop innovative PPE design solutions. 

“I was amazed by the volume and quality of the ideas the students were able to generate,” comments Valérie Pierret, adding “Despite the challenging task they faced, the students were able to think outside of the box while complying with the stringent requirements that PPE typically entails.”

Partnership on new design projects

A panel of DuPont experts reviewed the project and selected three concepts, which will be implemented in existing and new product designs. DuPont will continue collaborating with Heriot-Watt University on new design projects, in order to continue innovating PPE.