As for safety footwear, the latest design trends emerge in the new Explora models. The lines are more resolute, but sober, sporty and aggressive especially the summer models. The essential, clear cuts create a cooler, more modern look. A new sole design has been added to those already used. These style solutions integrate perfectly with the innovations in technology and materials, beginning with the new composite lamina, resistant to even the finest nails (2 mm in diameter).

Of the leading technologies, Plasmaterial™ is undoubtedly the most important. Used today for all the safety footwear in the Hard and Light line, and some in the Esplora line, the presentation of Plasmaterial™ can begin with its most surprising effect: a cool, dry foot at all times.
Exclusively applied to footwear for the very first time, Plasmaterial™ treatment gives linings exceptional properties of moisture absorption and dispersion. Ricotest results for linings treated with Plasmaterial™ show that the speed at which a drop of water spreads, increases 144 times!
However, Plasmaterial™ also guarantees other excellent features: complete sterilisation, perfect binding of the materials, greater resistance to wear and tear and abrasion, greater compatibility with other treatments, such as waterproofing.

OutDry^®, another leading technology, also offers an extraordinary performance. By means of the lamination of an extremely thin, waterproof, breathable membrane inside the upper, this innovative technology creates a completely waterproof barrier, even in the area of the stitching, far exceeding any traditional waterproofing system.

Together with the top quality leathers, special last generation microfibres, ergonomic insoles, and soles manufactured in high-performance mixes, these technologies form an out and out system, continuously oriented to a quest for total comfort and a quality performance in all areas and in all conditions of the use of safety footwear.

Uniflair is the new trademark with which Panther, which became Uniflair Safety System on the 30th June this year, both marks its partnership with the Uniflair group and initiates a period of extensive renewal.

A brand new technology, Plasmaterial, has been applied to footwear for the very first time; a new collection has been developed, in which design and advanced research merge together to create perfect footwear; a new, high impact image has been designed, enabling us to communicate more effectively with the market. These are the key elements to Uniflair's success, a success which was further confirmed at the recent Expoprotection/Feu 2004 trade fair in Paris.

Besides Plasmaterial, the new models comprise top-of-the-range, cutting-edge technologies, the result of over twenty years research carried out by Panther and its manufacturing skills (HL, microfibre, OutDry).

Uniflair has brought a breath of fresh air to the safety footwear sector. This is the new trademark with which Panther, now Uniflair Safety System, has marked both its partnership with the homonymous group, and the start of a significant journey of renewal.

During a year which has already been earmarked by important product innovations, such as the Hard and Light line, the new corporate name and trademark go hand in hand with outstanding dynamism in the sphere of technological research, launching Uniflair Safety System safety shoes towards an increasingly international dimension.

The new Uniflair collection is exemplary, offering customers an exclusive range of models whose technologies, manufacturing solutions, materials, and design project safety footwear towards a new dimension.
Plasmaterial clearly stands out as the most innovative of the technologies utilised to manufacture our safety footwear. It involves applying plasma to textiles and opens up new horizons within the spheres of performance and comfort. However, this innovation also extends to other parts of our safety footwear, from design to peak technologies (OutDry , HL toe cap). In short, Uniflair is synonymous with a huge leap forward within the sphere of both image and product.

Thus, at its very first appearance at a sectorial trade fair (Expoprotection/Feu 2004 in Paris), the new Uniflair brand caught the attention of and produced enthusiasm not only in clients and visitors, but in our competitors, too! The striking visual impact of our stand was a refreshing change from the sectorial standard, and a perfect, well-devised frame for the highly innovative products on offer. Our new collection and prototypes presented a myriad of novelties. Our "concept shoes" signal the new trends of a quickly evolving product - safety footwear.

Never seen before!
Besides ensuring its models are lightweight, the greatest challenge the safety footwear sector faces is to guarantee breathability. This value is as essential as it is difficult to achieve and directly linked with both hygiene and comfort, and consequently health and wellbeing - in short, with that quality of work and life which represents the Uniflair Group's mission.
It is no chance, therefore, that today it is Uniflair which presents a revolutionary technology, resulting in a huge leap forward in breathability in footwear. This technology, Plasmaterial, is the process of applying plasma to textiles.

This is a treatment, not a material.
Plasma is the fourth state of matter, i.e. the condition which follows gas. It is a mixture of ionised gases formed of electrons, ions, neutral atoms, free radicals and UV radiation.
The process of applying plasma to textiles causes a natural chemical and physical transformation of its surface, with the double effect of sterilizing and improving (or even creating) determined features, the most important of which is hydrophilia, i.e. the capacity to absorb moisture, then expel it rapidly.
The result? Extremely high performance textiles, which will absorb perspiration as soon as it forms, and expel it immediately. This means it never comes into contact with the wearer's skin, who will consequently feel dry and comfortable at all times. But there's more…the treated textiles are also exceptionally receptive to additional treatments, such as water-repellent treatment. They also guarantee high performance bonding, are more resistant to peeling and abrasion, and are totally hygienic. All this is achieved ecologically as no use is made of chemical agents.

An exclusive Uniflair innovation.
Already used in the sportswear sector to increase the performance of high-tech clothing such as cycling jerseys, this is the first time plasma treatment has ever been applied in the footwear sector. Plasmaterial is used mainly to improve the performance of the linings in the new Uniflair models. This exclusive innovation carries the brand new Uniflair trademark and is perfectly in line with the Group's mission, namely to devise solutions and manufacture products, using advanced technology, which will contribute to improving the quality of the wearer's life.

Not just plasma.
This innovative plasma treatment combines with twenty years research and manufacturing experience. The profile of the new models bearing the Uniflair trademark is completed by the innovative technologies of the very best of Panther tradition.
By correctly supporting the foot, our innovatively shaped footwear improves the posture of the body. Uppers and protective elements are manufactured using high performance materials such as HL. Said material is a highly resistant, ultra-lightweight, synthetic composite, with an exceptional elastic memory capacity, which halves the weight of the protective elements used for the toe caps. Top quality leather, Cordura and, even more importantly, a ultra-lightweight, highly-resistant, breathable, highly ecological, hygienic microfibre are used for the uppers.
Another important aspect of our uppers is the amazing performance of OutDry®, a new technology in which a breathable, but water-repellent, membrane is applied to leather. This process creates an impenetrable barrier which guarantees zero water and air penetration, while the material remains both lightweight and soft.

Besides safety, image.
The innovative design of the new Uniflair models means they resemble sports rather than safety footwear. Designed to be worn comfortably both in and out of the workplace, our models are young and dynamic - ideal for anyone wishing to look smart in any context and on any occasion!