United Kingdom Defense Seeks Innovation in Dermal Protection Against Chemical Warfare Agents
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is seeking proposals that will address the challenge of developing a fabric which provides dermal protection against liquid chemical warfare agents and other low surface tension liquids. The MOD is interested in treatments, fabric design, novel constructions or any other approach that prevents the penetration of low surface tension liquids. Any options proposed must not use chemistries which are currently restricted under the Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals (REACH) or any other governing body (e.g. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Stockholm Convention).
Traditionally, dermal liquid protection has been provided by an air permeable, two- layer system, comprising an outer fabric, which controls the initial liquid interaction with the surface, and a carbon layer to absorb any vapors which penetrate the outer layer. It is the combination of these two layers which enables the wearer to operate in a CBRN environment without incurring the associated physiological burden of an air-impermeable garment.
Changes in legislation (e.g. REACH) over recent years have constrained the methods available for providing dermal protection against low surface tension liquids. Due to these changes, the MOD is seeking innovative methods for future dermal protection.
The overall objective of this call for innovation is to develop fabrics that can be used to manufacture protective suits that meet the essential criteria against liquid and vapor given in “NATO Standard AEP-72 Volume I. There are various means by which this could be achieved, and the MOD is interested in any scientific and technological approaches that have the potential to deliver dermal protection against low surface tension liquids without the use of chemistries which are currently the subject of restriction proposals (e.g. under REACH, ECHA etc.).
Specifically, the MOD is interested in any approaches that include:
• Highly wicking surfaces.
• Reactive coatings.
• Novel fabric compositions and fiber structures.
• Other technical approaches which prevent liquid contamination causing harm to the wearer’s skin.
When submitting your proposal, you will be required to include a title, Proposal Value Proposition Statement (PVPS) and a short abstract. The title, PVPS and abstract you provide will be used by the MOD and UK Government to describe your project and its intended outcomes and benefits. As this information can be shared, your proposal should not contain information that may compromise your Intellectual Property.
On 6 March 2025, the MOD will hold a webinar providing further details on the innovation they are seeking, and the webinar provides you with a chance to ask questions in an open forum.
On 12 March 2025, the MOD will hold a series of 15-minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific technical questions to the competition team in a closed forum.
U.S. companies have a worldwide reputation for innovative products, after sales service, and training which makes them competitive in the UK market and with the MOD. The U.S. and UK also share similar business cultures and business practices, which makes the UK an attractive market for U.S. suppliers.
If you have a proposal which provides dermal protection against liquid chemical warfare agents, or if you would like to learn more about security and defense opportunities in the UK, please contact PJ Menner at the U.S. Embassy London via PJ.Menner@trade.gov.