UK-based personal protective equipment Avon Protection announced on 4 September 2023 that it has formed a strategic partnership with fellow UK-based OPEC CBRNe: a designer and manufacturer of chemical, biological and anti-viral suit systems.
The collaboration is designed to “revolutionise CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear] protective suit technologies, catering to international military, special forces and first responder markets” according Avon Protection.
The partnership will combine Avon Protection’s expertise in CBRN, materials innovation and integration capabilities with OPEC CBRNe’s proven track record in developing high-comfort, high-protection chemical, biological and anti-viral suit systems.
“Together the companies will advance materials technology and design methods to develop suit products that not only elevate safety levels but also enhance user comfort, with an emphasis on integration with currently deployed CBRN masks, boots and gloves, and ballistic head protection systems,” Avon Protection stated.
“There are very limited options for users in the CBRN field to obtain protective suits as part of a wider integrated ensemble; as a result the protection level at the points at which different garments meet – for example the wrist or ankle – are weaker,” Justin Hine, director of strategy and capability for Avon Protection, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “By challenging traditional development and production methods we are looking at designs that work in harmony with existing masks, boots and glove products, giving operators a higher degree of protection, confidence and wearability in the field.”
Avon Protection’s extensive range of CBRN respiratory technologies include air-purifying respirators, powered air-purifying respirators, escape devices, self-contained breathing apparatus devices, and protective boots and gloves.
Steve Elwell, president of Avon Protection, was quoted as saying, “Avon Protection’s focus on whole-system integration across CBRN masks, boots and gloves will be expanded to include protective suits under this partnership, with a focus on how to improve the wearer’s comfort and safety. By leveraging the world’s leading protective clothing specialist technologies and furthering our own materials development, we will offer users a single, integrated line of equipment within the Avon Protection range they know and trust.”
“Through our partnership with Avon Protection, we aim to further enhance the integration and tailoring of our protective garments to help maximise performance,” added Geoff Rowland, general manager of OPEC CBRNe. “The resulting complete ensembles, constructed using cutting-edge components following rigorous design and testing, will deliver sophisticated levels of system integration between CBRN ensemble components and ballistic protection equipment.”
Peter Felstead
