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PROTECTIVE APPAREL Considering Bio-Based Fibers in Protective Apparel How the protective apparel industry is integrating sustainability alongside traditional pillars of protection, comfort, and value, ushering in a new era of eco-conscious choices without compromising safety. BY TODD MOORE Millions of American workers require flame-resistant, arc-rated (FR/AR) apparel to safely perform their jobs. Historically, apparel manufacturers and their suppliers focus on three key areas of consideration when designing workwear for these professionals — protection, comfort, and value. But as science and the industry’s insight into how we must operate evolves, an additional consideration is quickly ascending to a must-have feature: sustainability. The textile industry broadly has been challenged to find ways to become more sustainable. It’s thanks to a variety of consider- ations: the energy and water use needed to manufacture, trans- parency in supply chains, waste generation during the develop- ment process, and end-of-life considerations for garments. For example, the fast fashion industry is producing twice the amount of clothes1 today than in 2000, leading to an increase in pre- and post-production textile waste. With a closer eye on the impact the textile industry places on the environment, regulations and operational requirements are following suit. In the United States and Europe, proposed legisla- tion will require brands and retailers to report on pollution and waste, pressure-testing the industry in ways it has never felt be- fore. Making the Right Decisions of the Long Haul But the protective apparel industry, still in its infancy with KinoMasterskaya/Shutterstock.com sustainability, has something that fast fashion never will — longevity. When designed correctly, durable materials that last longer without sacrificing comfort or performance are the best way for the protective apparel industry to reduce its environmental impact, whether end users are calling for it now or not. Seemingly small decisions when choosing fabric for FR/AR programs can have a big impact. The longer a garment can main- tain its protective properties for a worker on the job, the longer that garment stays out of the landfill. Beyond longevity, choosing materials that contain renewable fiber sources is an environmentally conscious choice for an ap- parel program. That’s why, in part, the industry is beginning to see more incorporation of bio-based fibers to offset some of the use of traditional synthetic fibers, which are typically petroleum- based and more difficult to biodegrade. Synthetic fibers are widely known and used in protective ap- parel due to their durability and performance capabilities. Nylon, for example, is often used in many fabrics to improve abrasion resistance, while a synthetic fiber like spandex is typically used in denim applications that require a bit more give or stretch to the garment. But what exactly are bio-based fibers? Bio-based fibers are made from renewable resources, like plants or trees and are typically categorized into two camps — natural and regenerated. Natural bio-based fibers are some of the most well-known fiber sources and include cotton, wool and linen. Due to strict 14 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com