From Lab to Hand: Developing Gloves That Perform in the Real World

Inside the Ejendals Leksand Lab

The Leksand laboratory is where we test, challenge, and validate TEGERA gloves. Here, our engineers examine materials, push prototypes to their limits, and verify that every glove can withstand real working conditions. This includes everything from mechanical resistance and durability to ergonomics — and, in this case, insulation performance in cold environments.

Meet Belinda Johansson, Laboratory Engineer

For the development of the new TEGERA Cold Supply Gloves, Laboratory Engineer Belinda Johansson conducted a series of tests to evaluate how different insulation materials and glove constructions perform in cold environments. Her role is to examine how materials behave under pressure and to verify which combinations deliver the best protection for the user. In this project, she focused on understanding how effectively CaloThan™ insulates when integrated into a complete glove.

CaloThan™ — Engineered for Cold Protection

One of the key materials examined during the development work was CaloThan™, an insulation material created by Ejendals. Its closed-cell structure forms a dense barrier against contact cold, blocking up to 20% more cold than conventional insulation materials. Despite this high level of protection, CaloThan™ remains lightweight, flexible, and breathable — qualities that are essential for work gloves used in demanding cold environments.

A Visual Test That Shows the Difference

To demonstrate CaloThan™’s insulating ability, the team performed a simple but effective test. A beaker filled with ice was placed on a hot plate — and then the test was repeated with a layer of CaloThan™ under the ice. The comparison clearly showed how CaloThan™ slows heat transfer, making its insulating power easy to see at a glance.

Both images show a beaker of ice on a hot plate at 100°C for 4 minutes; in the second setup, a CaloThan™ layer is added under the ice, visibly demonstrating its insulating effect.

Real-World Testing: Measuring Contact Cold

To understand how CaloThan™ performs inside a complete safety glove, Belinda conducted a contact-cold test designed to simulate real working conditions. Temperature sensors were placed inside the palm area of each glove, ice packs were applied, and a 50 N weight was added to mimic the pressure of gripping cold objects. Temperatures were recorded every 10 seconds, revealing how quickly cold penetrated the glove — and how effectively each material combination protected the user.

Clear Results That Benefit the User

Many different gloves were tested during the development work, including several competitor models. Among all the data collected, one comparison stood out for how clearly it demonstrated the difference CaloThan™ can make.

Performance Comparison: With and Without CaloThan™

Turning Insights Into Better Gloves

Every test Belinda and the team perform helps shape how TEGERA safety gloves are developed and refined. The insights gained from these experiments guide material choices, layer combinations, and glove construction — all with the goal of creating products that genuinely support the people who wear them.

At Ejendals, better materials lead to better protection.
And through continuous testing and evaluation, we ensure that every TEGERA glove is built to perform where it matters most: in real work environments.