Comfort as a science

Balancing comfort and safety in protective garments has always been a compromise, particularly in high temperature, high humidity applications. Through continued innovation, DuPont has made Tyvek® garments more breathable while preserving their exceptional performance and durability. Tyvek® APX™ fabric is the result. It offers an outstanding combination of protection and comfort, helping workers to perform at their best, especially in physically demanding environments.

The fabric’s enhanced performance was validated through collaboration with experts who applied scientific methods to assess breathability and worker well-being. Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, conducted human thermoregulation modeling and biometric monitoring under controlled conditions. The research assessed thermal strain, sweat rate, skin temperature, and overall comfort perception. Human trials with biometric monitoring then confirmed the simulation data. The research evaluated the breathability of Tyvek® APX™ protective clothing under real-world working conditions. These included high ambient temperatures, controlled humidity, and medium to high activity levels.

Empa’s thermoregulation model showed that Tyvek® APX™ fabric allows a slower rise in core body and skin temperature than traditional garment options, including standard clothing. This helps reduce heat strain and perceived thermal stress. It also shortens recovery time during high temperatures and strenuous activity. Additional customer wear trials involving almost 300 users worldwide confirmed a clear preference for garments made with the new material. Some compared the sensation to wearing casual clothing rather than PPE.

“Since we unveiled Tyvek® APX™ fabric less than six months ago, the response from our customers and industry partners has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Chloé Caux-Wetherell, EMEA Marketing Manager at DuPont. “It’s a game-changer for health and safety professionals, giving them the ability to enhance worker well-being and reduce the risk of them suffering from heat build-up when wearing essential protective garments. With the launch of Tyvek® APX™ 400, we are providing the benefits of comfort and safety to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.”

A new era of chemical protection

The Tyvek® APX™ 400 protective coverall offers full body protection and unrivalled wearer comfort. It is the first protective coverall in the Tyvek® APX™ range and can be specified for any application requiring Category III, Type 5-B and 6-B chemical protection.

Thanks to the new material technology, the Tyvek® APX™ 400 disposable chemical garment combines extreme breathability with proven design features, including a three-piece hood for optimal wearer visibility and movement, an integral Tyvek® thumb loop to keep sleeves in place during overhead movement, and a Tyvek® zipper and flap for ease of donning and doffing. These are complemented by an elasticated waist for flexibility of movement, plus elasticated wrists, ankles, and face to minimize chemical ingress. 

Sustainable choice

Because the single-use Tyvek® APX™ 400 coverall is made from a mono-material (HDPE), it is readily recyclable if no contamination has occurred*. In addition, the coverall is available in boxes of 25, dramatically reducing the amount of plastic packaging waste.

The Tyvek® APX™ 400 protective coverall is available commercially from March 2026.

For more details about Tyvek® APX™ 400, please visit:

safespec.dupont.co.uk

Information about Tyvek® APX™ fabric and wear trials can be found here:

tyvek.co.uk/apx