Oil and Gas Awards 2020

Oil & Gas Awards 2020 5 The Dundee-based company has been operating since 2015 and over a few short years has become known as an innovative technical disruptor internationally, with over fifty individual products in development- from the lifesaving to lifestyle - this is not a company that follows the status quo. In recognition of the company’s success in the 2020 Corporate Vision Magazine Awards, we caught up with Iron Ocean’s CEO, Simon Lamont, to learn more about his brand and vision. Talking about the company’s beginnings he explained: “Our mission statement is; “We want people to understand that we do not take shortcuts or quick wins and we put saving lives above anything else. I often get asked where the name, Iron Ocean, is derived from. The brand comes with powerful connotations as iron is one of the world’s most significant discoveries, an age-old symbol of reliability and strength. “Equally, our oceans have proven time and time again to be the most powerful forces on the planet. Naming the company Iron Ocean is a reminder of what is required every day to succeed in this world: strength in resolve and power through adversity. “Even the mask and waves logo itself holds a deep and structured meaning; the mask is symbolic of the ancient gladiators of Rome - people forced to fight for their lives in a hostile environment they could not control. Just like the thousands of men and women working in hazardous environments every day. “The six waves represent each of the initial lifesaving technologies developed by Iron Ocean and, when put together, show the mask like a boat powering through the waves. In short, this brand thrives in adversity and strives to push the boundaries of textile science for the protection of those in the harshest environments.” This message of strength and resilience has continued to guide the company’s direction and has inspired many collections within its product portfolio, including the revolutionary, self-heating Centurion 3. This high-performance three-piece garment system is specially designed by founder Simon Lamont with development support by the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and has garnered significant interest as a disruptive game-changer on the market Funded by the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) and created for pilots and offshore personnel, the Centurion 3 debuted as the first garment of its kind to meet the safety and regulatory requirements of the offshore industry whilst providing advanced protection against the elements: wet or dry. News of the original prototypes has already generated international demand as well as attracting interest from a number of organisations and militaries. Each of the three separate garments which make up the Centurion 3 contain Iron Ocean’s bespoke technology including their advanced performance fabric CARFIBEX which is the first layer worn next to the skin. During independent ISO testing, CARFIBEX surpassed standard materials such as merino wool and cotton, with results showing much faster drying times and advanced moisture management, superior heat distribution and anti- static properties during wear. Alongside the performance-enhancing aspects of Iron Ocean’s textiles, there is also a luxury element. Their CARFIBEX fabric is a bespoke material containing a combination of cashmere for superior softness, Carbon Fibre for antistatic properties, Biodegradable micro modal acrylic for advanced heat retention and distribution, and branded Lycra for stretch - together creating a light-weight base layer which promotes endurance and provides a comfortable compression fit which moulds to the wearer. Layer two, the middle layer of the Centurion 3, is specifically engineered to counter cold shock. This fabric is infused with the company’s patented technology, REACTA GEL AQUA. This is Iron Ocean’s leading chemical composition developed to produce immediate lifesaving heat without the risk of relying on batteries or wires to operate. REACTA GEL AQUA was created to conquer the harsh coldness of marine conditions by generating energy to combat cold shock - a condition capable of killing a person immediately - and providing warmth for over an hour, compared to the current industry life expectancy of offshore immersion of just 6 to 12 minutes. Talking about the results, Mr Lamont commented: “While innovations in smart wearable garments have advanced, ‘smart’ still indicates batteries and wires. I designed our technology so it can sit in a store for years and operate straight out of the bag. No concerns in regard to battery levels, or broken wires which can cause sparks in high-gas environments”. Completing the garment, the third and outermost layer of the Centurion 3 is fire, slash, and radiation resistant. Uniquely developed to withstand high heat and jagged wreckage in emergency situations, this final layer acts as a shield, yet remains soft and flexible, ensuring movements are not restricted and the wearer can remain afloat until they can be rescued.