Starts with places producing protective coverings (7,5)

I believe the answer is:

plaster casts

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'protective coverings' is the definition.
'plaster casts' can be an answer for 'coverings' (plaster cast is a kind of covering). I am not sure about the 'protective' bit.

'starts with places producing' is the wordplay.
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'producing' is an anagram indicator.
'starts'+'places'='startsplaces'
'startsplaces' anagrammed gives 'PLASTER CASTS'.

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I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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