StAirS: Autonomous air conditioning for protective work clothing

Well ventilated! Air-Conditioned Protective Work Clothing Makes the Job More Comfortable

2026-06-03 Source: DITF | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

If physical burdens at work increase, conventional protective work clothing often reaches its limits, says the DITF. But these limits can be extended ...

This could become the future of protective work clothing! Because at DTFI in Denkendorf (Germany), together with partners, they have managed to equip it with an autonomous air conditioning system. This not only significantly increases wearing comfort during physical exertion ...(Image: DITF) — This could become the future of protective work clothing! Because at DTFI in Denkendorf (Germany), together with partners, they have managed to equip it with an autonomous air conditioning system. This not only significantly increases wearing comfort during physical exertion ...
(Image: DITF)

In particular, the removal of sweat and excess body heat often poses a problem for standard protective workwear. The German Institutes for Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) have therefore been working on flow-optimized, air-conducting textile structures that enable targeted climate control directly on the body, as further explained. These structures can be directly integrated into protective workwear. According to DITF, the textile climate control system supports the body's natural thermoregulation, increasing both wearer comfort and occupational safety.

Absolutely Autonomous Cooling Air Generation in the Work Shoe

To supply the air-conducting structures, pneumatic pressure generators have been developed that use the body's everyday movements as a "drive," the researchers explain. For instance, a compressible insole in a work shoe can generate compressed air from normal walking movements. This makes the system entirely self-sufficient and usable without an external compressed air connection. The volume of air generated while walking is directed through a hose system in work pants to the climate control element in the upper garment, as further explained by the Denkendorf researchers. A specially designed belt buckle allows intuitive separation of the pants from the upper garment during the workday, thereby interrupting the airflow.

Positive Project Results will be Presented Soon

As part of the project, it was demonstrated that the combination of air-conducting textile structures and pressure generators significantly improves heat and moisture management between workwear and the body surface. This effect not only reduces the risk of overheating but also positively impacts the subjective wearing comfort and performance. The project was carried out in collaboration between DITF and Hero Textil AG. It was funded under the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy based on a resolution of the German Bundestag. The textile climate control system "StAirS" was selected as a successful project example for the Innovation Day for SMEs 2026 in Berlin and will be jointly presented by DITF and Hero on June 11.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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