the alsico academy
obsessed by sustainable innovation
driven by protection
We are driven to protect, it is in our DNA. Our brand promise ‘our performance protects yours’ is testament to our unwavering belief that we must innovate the most technologically advanced garments, from the most innovative fabrics.
‘Everyone matters’ is a term we use to remind us of exactly that, everyone, does indeed matter. Not only do we obsess about making the right garments, but also the fabrics that ensure the workers are comfortable, safe and able to do their job at their very best.
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what is the alsico academy?
Our academy experts are tasked with creating the most sustainable and most comfortable fabrics possible, working alongside our designed teams to create garments fit for the future.
freedom matters
Innovative stretch for demanding workplaces
Welcome to the world of stretch with alsico. Powered by our innovative ‘ALSIFLEX’ and ‘ALSIPRO’ technologies and our pioneering performance fabrics Monviso, Makalu and Kibo. Delivering comfort, flexibility and safety into the most demanding working environments.
Alsico is an innovator, a company pushing the boundaries of workwear for over 90 years. We brought polyester to the workplace in 1967, Polycotton in the 1970’s and we brought cotton rich fabrics into production in the 80s, delivering comfort to millions of workers. We have now innovated again with our ALSIFLEX and ALSIPRO technologies, powering our stretch garments and making them even more comfortable and wearable in the most demanding workplaces. But we haven't stopped there, we are working diligently to create the world's first circular solution for workwear garments, using the skills of the alsico academy, the experts in our research and development teams, and partnerships with the world's most advanced technology companies, to make this happen.
cyclop®
an award-winning innovation
for cleanroom environments
Cyclop® delivers an innovative answer for GMP Annex 1 compliance, wearer
comfort and cleanroom efficiency. Providing a zero fogging, clean air solution
that decreases production downtime, whilst increasing wearer satisfaction.
Every worker has the right to feel good, look good and be safe
Vincent Siau, Head of the alsico academy
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kibo, our latest innovation (coming late 2025)
Kibo is a new high-performance fabric designed to meet the highest requirements of environments where protection against multiple risks, including heat & flames and static electricity is essential.
Innovation
meet the team
Our team has a long history of creating some of the most innovative fabrics and products.
From developing cutting-edge fabric technologies that prioritise comfort and safety to meticulously designing garments that blend style with function, our team's commitment to innovation is unwavering. They thrive on the challenges that come with creating workwear that not only meets industry standards but sets new benchmarks for excellence.
They ensure that our brand's promise, "Our performance protects yours," is not just a slogan but a commitment to safeguarding the wearers and helping businesses achieve the extraordinary.
Alex Lievens
Raw Material & CE Expert
Veerle Vandeweege
Marketing Manager Fabrics
Pauline Latruwe
Sustainability & Education Coordinator
Simon Iredale
Group Marketing Director
Yasmine Vanthuyne
Research and Development Coordinator
contamination control
Lotte Van Huyck
Knitwear Developer/Project Manager, Recycling Solutions
Alex Lievens
Raw Material & CE Expert
After finishing a master's in Textiles, Alex started his career as an R&D manager in a spinning mill. First for carpet yarns and later also for technical yarns. His interest in PPE was raised at that time and after 7 years he continued his expertise by doing R&D for a weaving, dyeing, and finishing mill active in the PPE sector before going to the next stage in the process: manufacturing work and protective wear.
He uses his 30 years of experience throughout the value chain to develop and certify personal protection with an emphasis on comfort and functionality as he believes that making PPE garments more comfortable for the wearer will result in correct wearing and protecting the individual. He tries to develop what users want and bring added value to them.
Making the choice for alsico was easy as they have the DNA for sustainable developments and social responsibilities, values he shares with the company. Being an expert means also supporting the sector to share knowledge where he’s an active member on the board of the Belgian Federation Febelsafe responsible for education and chairman of the working group Care4Safe.
Veerle Vandeweege
Marketing Manager Fabrics
Veerle embarked on her dynamic career journey spanning 17 years in the industrial laundry sector. Her role evolved from providing exemplary customer service to leading the procurement of professional workwear. This is where her deep-rooted passion for textiles and sustainability was born.
Driven by a desire to further expand her knowledge within the textile industry, Veerle transitioned to The Witte Lietaer, where she deepened her expertise in textile technologies and fabrics.
Inspired by alsico's unwavering commitment to its mission and dedication to sustainability, Veerle made the strategic decision to join the team. With her extensive background and passion for making a positive impact, Veerle is poised to leverage her expertise to drive sustainable practices and make a meaningful difference.
As a firm believer in the power of collaboration and innovation, Veerle is eager to contribute her unique insights and expertise to support alsico's sustainability goals and help shape a more sustainable future for the textile industry.
Pauline Latruwe
Sustainability & Education Coordinator
Pauline graduated as a fashion technologist in Gent. That’s where her interest in product quality in the workwear and PPE industry ignited. She started her career at the Belgian federation of companies active in fashion, clothing and manufacturing. There she gave industry-related advice on quality, safety and sustainability topics.
She mainly worked on public procurements for governance instances. She was writing the technical file and setting requirements, evaluating the entries and production.
Pauline believes that with quality comes sustainability. It’s not a checkbox for a company but needs to be intertwined within every process. Alsico has that mindset. And with alsico striving to be the voice of the industry it was only logical to want to be part of this team and make a change.
Simon Iredale
Group Marketing Director
Simon began his journey in design and marketing back in the late 80’s when he set up his first design company in the UK. After moving to London in the 90’s he began working on some of the UK’s largest brands on their first digital exposure. Brands such as easyJet, TESCO, Sainsbury’s, Worldpay, the V&A and Virgin Music. After a short spell as digital marketing manager for Sony Music Europe, he returned to the North to set up one of the leading digital and creative agencies in the area, running it for over 17 years. Simon is passionate about brand and message, ensuring all company efforts are aligned and consistent. He believes success for companies of all sizes stems from simplicity of message, consistent brand and an enviable reputation. His role at alsico is to oversee all design and marketing actives globally.
Yasmine Vanthuyne
Research and Development Coordinator
contamination control
As the R&D expert for the Contamination Control department at alsico, Yasmine brings a profound passion for innovation in the field of cleanroom and contamination control solutions. Her journey with alsico began during her academic studies, when she completed an internship with the company, sparking her interest in the industry.
In 2020, Yasmine returned to alsico, driven by a fascination with researching and developing new fabrics, finishes, accessories, and technologies. Her work is dedicated to striking the perfect balance between comfort and performance, ensuring that alsico’s solutions not only meet the highest standards of contamination control but also provide exceptional comfort for the wearer.
One of Yasmine’s proudest achievements is the development of Cyclop, a project that exemplifies her commitment to excellence and innovation in her field.
Lotte Van Huyck
Knitwear Developer/Project Manager, Recycling Solutions
Lotte is a trained textile designer who has specialised in knitwear for the past eight years within the fashion industry. In addition to running her own label, she has supported other fashion companies in developing their knitted collections.
Over the years, she has increasingly focused on the technical aspects of knitting, which led her to join Alsico, where she now works on the latest innovations in knitwear.
She is also actively involved in alsico’s recycling projects, which aim to repurpose the company’s fabrics. She contributes to a circular process for sustainable clothing production by transforming worn textiles into reusable yarns.
our innovative stretch technologies
ALSIFLEX® is a cutting-edge fabric technology designed to deliver unmatched flexibility and durability in demanding environments. Engineered to provide comfort and exceptional performance, ALSIFLEX® ensures unrestricted movement. Its advanced design suits professionals requiring mobility and reliability in their garments.
ALSIPRO is a protective stretch technology specifically engineered to provide advanced multi-risk (MR) and fire-retardant (FR) protection. Designed for environments requiring high performance and flexibility, ALSIPRO delivers superior mobility, durability, and protection against heat, flames, and other hazards. This groundbreaking technology combines safety and comfort, ensuring wearers remain protected without sacrificing ease of movement during demanding tasks. Most importantly, ALSIPRO is engineered with a PFAS-free finish that eliminates harmful chemicals and significantly reduces environmental impact compared to traditional protective garments.
we proudly support great initiatives
As a company, we want to contribute to an economy that respects the planet's boundaries and guarantees basic social rights. We want to take this responsibility by systematically including ecological, social, and economic considerations in our daily policy.
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our olive oil production
Extra virgin olive oil produced by our colleague Ridha Souissi and his father Tijeni in their olive tree garden in Tunisia. As a proud family-owned company, alsico is delighted to support this family.
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Madagascar whale sharks
Alsico is proud to back the Madagascar Whale Shark Project’s research on baby whale sharks. These gentle giants are essential to marine ecosystems, and understanding their early stages is crucial for their conservation.
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Madagascar tree nursery
In the vibrant landscapes of Madagascar, alsico has established a dedicated tree nursery as part of its commitment to offset emissions. Since 2018, alsico has already planted more than 253,000 trees, making a positive environmental impact through the initiative.
Innovation
performance fabrics
Welcome to alsico performance fabrics, a division of alsico, a leading workwear company with almost a century of expertise. Our garments prioritize both protection and comfort, supported by our internal alsico academy. This team of experts specializes in fabric technology, sustainability, and garment design, creating pioneering solutions for various work environments. These innovations power our performance fabrics, ensuring garments that are technically superior, comfortable, flexible, and provide essential protection.
