Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Security Market

Market Overview

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) security is used to protect and prevent measures that can overcome security-related situations. Law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies act as significant stakeholders in CBRN. They play a crucial role in tracking the illegal trafficking of CBRN materials and in preventing and disrupting illegal production. Moreover, the vendors develop advanced CBRN security products with enhanced effectiveness, detection capabilities, and rapid decontaminating functions. The increasing use of nuclear energy and the integration of CBRN training are some of the key driving factors of the market.

The global CBRN security market was valued at USD 18.35 billion in 2019 and will grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period 2020–2029.

Market Dynamics

The Need for the Protection from Harmful Radiation Drives the CBRN Security Market Growth 

Rising exposure to harmful radiation among the population compels the government to establish several measures in various countries. One such example is the introduction of a radiation protection program. The establishment of the radiation protection program is for the transportation of radioactive materials. The radiation protection programs also involve training programs for the concerned personnel at the workplace. Record keeping is an essential element of any radiation program.

High-Sensitivity CBRN Sensors Help to Fight Against Terrorism

CBRN detection equipment is equipped with high-sensitivity sensors to detect small amounts of biological agents, coupled with the ability to distinguish between biological agents and other hazardous substances. This requires highly trained and efficient staff to handle the equipment. It has been observed that there has been increasing usage of the CBRN detection equipment at the global level, owing to the rising threat from terrorist organizations and hostile settings.

The Water Poison Detection Kit is capable of detecting water poisons and chemical warfare agents in water-based on chemical reactions with impregnated substances and reagent papers that impart specific color change.

For example, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups have a wide range of potential agents, and delivery means to choose from CBRN. On April 23, 2007, Several groups of mujahideen associated with Al-Qaida have attempted to carry out “poison plot” attacks in Europe with quickly produced toxins that are suited for assassination. Such agents can cause thousands of casualties. In such cases, the utility of CBRN detection equipment helps to prevent causalities. The equipment is specialized in detecting small amounts of biological agents and hazardous substances.

Regional Analysis

The geographical diversification for the global CBRN security market involves North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America’s National Strategy to Counter Rising Homeland Security Issues 

The North America region has the highest market share in the CBRN security market worldwide. The CBRN security systems have gained significant attraction in the United States, owing to rising CBRN attacks in the country, which has raised homeland security issues. Therefore, a lot of measures have been devised in terms of policy development and emergency responders to tackle the CBRN attacks for homeland security.

The United States has formulated a National Strategy for CBRN security standards and implementation of CBRN equipment standards by 2020. The strategy is created by the Cabinet-Level National Science and Technology Council. The approach represents the federal consensus regarding the development of standards for the CBRN equipment used by the federal, state, local, and tribal responders for CBRN detection, protection, and decontamination. The strategy is the result of a process that involves the identification of the current research activities and performance assessment. The country is also significantly investing in the development of R&D of CBRN security systems. In 2017, the U.S. Army awarded USD 8.27 billion to 170 companies for ten years on contract for enhancing the R&D activities for the CBRN security under the Joint Enterprise Research, Development, Acquisition, and Production of Procurement Programs.

Out of 170 companies, 908 devices is one such company that received a 10-year contract through the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Enterprise-Research, Development, Acquisition, and Production/Procurement (JE-RDAP). The company is a pioneer in developing analytical devices for chemical and biomolecular analysis. Through this contract, the company will get a chance to explore and push the boundaries of High-Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) technology for CBRN attacks.

EU-Funded ENCIRCLE Project to Drive the Regional CBRN Market Growth

Europe is the second-largest region for the CBRN security market., owing to the imitation of several projects, government involvement through funding, and assistance to the SMEs. The EU-funded ENCIRCLE Project is one such example, where the project team is working to address several challenges. First, it creates a CBRN cluster that brings together several groups that work on a number of different EU-funded CBRN projects. The ENCIRCLE tackles the difficulties experienced by small and medium-sized enterprises that facilitate the development of new CBRN solutions for the market to grow. Besides, CBRN defense and civilian security have become a significant industrial sector, which is contributing remarkably to the market. The British Counter-terrorism strategy, also known as CONTEST, which entails four pillars, namely Pursue, Prevent, Protect, and Prepare, the EU counter-terrorism strategy also possesses the same four-pillar based approach.

Segmental Analysis

Political Tension and Threat from Terrorist Organization

The Military segment is foreseen will register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Against the backdrop of the rising threat from the terrorists and political tension, the utility of CBRN has emerged as a bioweapon for causing a potential risk to several countries. The government and defense departments of several nations are developing robust and effective countermeasures to protect the public and military personnel from such bioweapons.

BARDA’s Initiatives Toward Advanced Research And Development Activities

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) authority granted under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) to enhance the overall medical countermeasure portfolio for CBRN candidate products, headquartered in Washington, the U.S., have designed advanced development and Procurement Program. Moreover, BARDA has several contracts for the advanced research and development of products and has successfully stockpiled 14 medical countermeasure products against 4 CBRN threats. These include anthrax vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis, anthrax therapeutics, a novel smallpox vaccine, a smallpox antiviral drug, a botulinum antitoxin, and radiation countermeasures.

BARDA, on the other hand, uses Project BioShield funding that supports its R&D activities. ProjectBioShield is a secure funding source for the late-stage development and purchase of critical media countermeasures such as vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

Mandatory Rules to Wear Protective Wearables for CBRN Officers and Hazmat Professionals

Based on the equipment segment, the protective wearable segment is estimated to hold the largest share in the CBRN defense security market. Protective wearables are the equipment wearables designed primarily for the protection of first responders from CBRN material exposure that include fire-fighters and counter-terrorism teams. The equipment wearables involve protective clothing, protective gloves, protective masks and hoods, and protective footwear. Mandatory rules to wear such protective equipment wearables by the CBRN officers and Hazmat Professionals drives the market for CBRN security across the globe.

Impact of covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing widespread concern for the consumers, businesses, and communities worldwide. The impact of COVID-19 on CBRN involves low demand and productivity, operational and supply chain disruptions, and severe impact on the health of the workers. The market is experiencing a burden because there is a bulk production due to its on-site jobs, which cannot be done remotely. As the CBRN industry comprises of a large workforce, the COVID-19 impact is severe. As the profit margins of CBRN entirely depend upon production capacity or bulk production, the on-site manufacturing has been stopped due to the pandemic situation of COVID-19. Such jobs done by the workforce cannot be performed remotely.

Recent Developments

On April 21, 2016, Safran entered into an agreement for the sales of Morpho Detection with the Smith Group Plc. The Morpho Detection provides solutions for detecting and identifying CBRN threats as well as other illicit items that enhance security at the airports, borders, and sensitive sites and events. By becoming a part of Smith Group Plc, it will design and manufacture sensors that detect and identify explosives, weapons, chemicals, and other contraband.

On February 12, 2019, FLIR Systems, INC announced about entering into definitive agreement to acquire Endeavour Robotics Holdings, Inc. for the global military and public safety. Endeavor’s highly-mobile and easy-to-operate ground robots act as advanced sensing and actuation in providing explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), reconnaissance, inspection, and hazardous materials support for troops, police, and industrial users at stand-off range.