About quality & innovation
The CE mark for safe martial arts
The European Directive for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 89/686/EEC defines binding rules in all countries of the European Community which are intended to guarantee the safety and protective function of PPE. In order to document compliance with this ‘PPE directive’, the manufacturer must label each protector with the official CE mark.
Specific technical requirements and test procedures for special protective equipment are laid down in European standards, which apply in all EU countries, but are also used in many other countries. The requirements for martial arts protective equipment are defined by the EN 13277-1 ... EN 13277-7 series of standards.
KWON was significantly involved in the development of the test procedures and the formulation of the standards. KWON is therefore a pioneer in the implementation of effective protective equipment and the safe practice of martial arts.
All KWON protective products have been tested in accordance with the applicable European standard and bear the CE mark as a sign of conformity with the European directive.
ERGOFOAM – the sign of ultimate comfort
All products with this logo are characterised by the use of particularly ergonomically pre-shaped foam parts and therefore offer maximum comfort and an optimum fit.
Foam padding can be found in martial arts equipment for training, competition and personal protection. Many manufacturers save themselves expensive investments and produce the padding by hand by gluing together simple cut-outs from sheet material. However, because the surface of the human body is not flat anywhere, you can never achieve an ergonomically optimised body fit with flat cut-outs.
Moulded foams for shock-absorbing foams place high technical demands and require high investment and development costs, but make any anatomically optimised shape possible. Only a few manufacturers, like KWON, achieve quantities that amortise the high investments. This is why you will find a comprehensive range of ergonomically optimised padded products at KWON.
ERGOfoam stands for moulded foam padding components that are anatomically optimised.
KWON ABSORB – the symbol for special vapour properties
All products with this logo have been successfully tested and are characterised by particularly high damping properties.
KWON has been involved in the development of the European test standard EN 13277 for martial arts protective equipment for 20 years now. Our in-depth knowledge and experience in this area ensure that the design and use of materials in KWON protective products go far beyond the requirements of the standard. The ABSORB mark therefore stands for maximum functionality and protection in martial arts.
Shocklite
Cross-linked EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate)
Cross-linked means: rubber-like resilience, even massive long-term stress does not prevent the material from returning to its original shape.The material has been in use for many years, but as sheet or block material and therefore not mould-foamed, because until recently it was not considered mould-foamable. Only a few manufacturers have mastered the complex manufacturing technology, and few have mastered mould making for articles such as Shocklite. Used primarily for upholstery / body protection and also medicine / orthopaedics.
Special distinguishing features compared to foamed soft polyurethane, which has similar areas of application:
- With similar elastic properties, EVA is 1/3 lighter.
- EVA is much more resistant to chemicals and is particularly resistant to hydrolysis (not soluble in water, not even in salt water. Also essential for frequent contact with sweat)
- Shocklite (EVA) is completely harmless to health. Approved for toys for small children and medical components with physical contact.
- Pioneering recycling processes under development (PU is only thermally recyclable)
- Foaming around other components (plastic/metal carriers) is possible with PU, but not with EVA, as is back-foaming of decorative foils.
- Due to complex mould technology, the manufacturing costs for EVA are usually higher. However, if high-quality surfaces are to be achieved, the costs for PU are similarly high.
