Kimtech Pure A5 cleanroom apparel designed with Clean-Don Technology

Kimberly-Clark Professional has made a step change in the process of aseptic gowning for cleanroom professionals with an innovative aseptic cleanroom suit designed by cleanroom operators.

The new Kimtech Pure A5 Cleanroom Apparel features ‘Clean-Don Technology’ - ground-breaking garment design features that make it easier to put on the coveralls without compromising their sterility.

The garments are ideal for use in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device manufacturing industries and other cleanroom settings where sterility is just as important as particle control.

"To develop this new approach to contamination prevention, we went straight to the source: cleanroom operators," said Randy Kates, general manager, Kimberly-Clark Professional Safety. "They told us about the difficulty they faced in putting on cleanroom coveralls, coverall waste due to contamination during the gowning process, and the overheating and poor garment fit associated with traditional aseptic cleanroom garments."

Clean-Don Technology tackles the issues associated with aseptic gowning through a range of new features, for example, patent-pending snap technology that features built-in snaps which gather up legs and arms to lower the risk of the garment touching the floor, then automatically release as the garment is put on.

An innovative inside-out fold pattern presents the inside of the garment as the package is opened, reducing the risk of touching and contaminating the outside of the apparel.

A highly visible blue line along the inside of the garment signals the proper place to grasp while gowning, helping workers avoid touching the exterior of the garment.

In addition, thumb loops help keep the garment from riding up the arm and help to maintain the glove/garment interface.

In addition to its sterility advantages, Kimtech Pure A5 Cleanroom Apparel is also comfortable. The apparel is made of a material that provides a cloth-like feel and is 25 times more breathable than Tyvek.

The garments also feature a patented Reflex coverall design. This roomy design is less likely to rip out than ANSI minimums since it provides 12% more chest room and 6% longer body length. At the same time, the garments' elastic waist and back reduce loose-fitting material that could contact work surfaces or billow out, forcing air to exit the garment at its extremities.

"These comfort advantages may lead to greater satisfaction among wearers as well as better productivity, since workers are more comfortable," said Larkin.

A range of sizes, from Small to 4XL, are available to match various body shapes and sizes. A hood and boot covers are also available.

Kimtech Pure A5 Cleanroom Apparel is manufactured in an ISO-certified facility, clean-processed, then individually packaged under cleanroom conditions. Lot consistency is ensured from raw materials through processing.

The company packages the new garments for sterility assurance using a vacuum seal process to allow the breathable SMS fabric to be sterilised with Gamma irradiation. The irradiation indicators on each package help to confirm irradiation and sterility.

The company provides users with detailed technical data for the new garments, including Certificate of Irradiation and Conformance, which will contain irradiation method and Sterility Assurance Level (SAL).