Domestic technical textiles Industry Segment-wise consumption of ...

Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) suits/Hazmat suits
Hazardous material (Hazmat) suits were designed to protect users handling hazardous waste material
such chemicals, radioactive material etc. A more specialized variety of these suits are NBC (Nuclear
Biological and Chemical) suits. Developed to protect soldiers, these are designed to protect the user in
a hostile environment with chemical/biological agents and against radioactive fallout dust. The suits
are designed to be worn for extended periods while continuing to operate in a combat environment.
Product characteristics
The NBC suit consists of a trouser and jacket and can be used directly over the under garments. The
suit is permeable and allows evaporation of sweat (breathable). The suits are made in different sizes,
generally these sizes are: small, medium, large and extra-large.
The suit is made of three layers:
1. Inner layer: Fabric cotton
2. Middle layer: Active charcoal treated non-woven
3. Outer layer: Fabric with chemical and fire retardant fibres (inherently retardant). The outer fabric has
disruptive printing to camouflage the soldiers and the base material for this coated fabric is polyester
The physical characteristics of the NBC suit are given below:
1. Fire/Heat/Cold/Water repellent outer fabric
2. Breathable
3. Effective in the temperature range of -35’C to +55’C
4. Resistance to wear and tear – high abrasion resistance
5. Can be decontaminated atleast two times
6. Washable
7. Shelf life of five to seven years
Market dynamics and key growth drivers
The major market for these products is primarily the Armed Forces and to a lesser extent NBC
Emergency response units (National Disaster Management Authority)/Central Paramilitary
Units/Other Civil Defence units etc. The Indian Army has around 1.5 million soldiers; out of these
around 25% (0.375 million) are active in strike formations on the western border in normal
deployment. These strike units can, in time of conflict with a hostile western neighbor, be potentially
involved in combat in a hostile NBC environment. The Indian Army has been training to operate in
such environments in exercises over the past few years and equipment and protocols are being
developed. Thus NBC suits, while not new as a concept, would have a gradual growth going ahead.
Key manufacturers