How can effective heat protection be implemented in the workplace, even in production areas subject to high heat stress? Contitech relies on E.COOLINE cooling vests for this purpose. What began as a pilot project at the Hannover-Vahrenwald site quickly developed into a Europe-wide heat protection measure. The trade journal reports on this Personal Protection & Fashion (PPF) in ihrer Ausgabe 4/2026.
E.COOLINE cooling vests in practical use
Rising temperatures pose major challenges, particularly for employees in physically demanding work environments. At the Contitech site in Hannover-Vahrenwald, a way was therefore sought to provide targeted support to staff working in areas subject to particularly high heat stress.
The project was initiated in the summer of 2025 by Christoph Schrader, Safety & Health Manager at the Contitech site in Hannover-Vahrenwald. Whilst searching for an effective heat protection solution for the most demanding work areas, he came across E.COOLINE cooling clothing.
In the subsequent practical test, a total of 18 E.COOLINE cooling vests were distributed across areas subject to varying levels of strain. The cooling vests are activated with water before use and then provide noticeable and even cooling through evaporative cooling – without the need for electricity or technical air conditioning.
Vom Pilotprojekt zur europaweiten Hitzeschutzmaßnahme
The feedback from the field trial was so positive that Christoph Schrader subsequently presented the E.COOLINE cooling clothing at the ‘Contitech Safety Day’. There was a great deal of interest, extending far beyond the production department. Members of the management team and site managers were also able to see for themselves just how effective the cooling clothing was.
The local pilot project subsequently led to the development, in collaboration with the Contitech site in Dannenberg, of a concept for company sites. After just six months, the initiative was presented to the IEMEA plant managers and EHS managers. The cooling clothing was then rolled out across Europe within Contitech as a heat protection measure.
Heat protection is more than just a matter of comfort
The use of cooling clothing is not just intended to make you feel more comfortable. High temperatures can impair concentration and well-being, particularly during physically demanding activities.
E.COOLINE is based on a simple principle: the cooling clothing works exclusively with water and air. No additional electricity is needed. This means that personal cooling can be used even in places where technical air conditioning would be impossible or would require considerable effort to install.
Further locations will follow
The project is not yet complete following the rollout to date. In addition to further areas at the Hannover-Vahrenwald site, there are also plans to roll out the heat protection concept beyond the IEMEA region.
The Contitech example thus illustrates how a local heat protection measure initiated by Christoph Schrader can develop into a solution that is ultimately implemented across the company throughout Europe.
