Accelerate Protective Innovation with NIRI’s Expertise

Advanced Materials. Smarter Protection. Proven Results.

NIRI is an established polymer, fibre, nonwoven and product development consultancy with deep expertise in protective textiles. Over the past 20 years, we have worked with industry leaders to develop innovative products that meet the most demanding performance and regulatory requirements. 

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Expertise that Drives Innovation

At NIRI, we help to create next-generation products which enhance user safety and performance. Our expertise spans the entire product development lifecycle from initial proof-of-concept and prototyping to small-scale manufacturing and product validation. We also work across all nonwoven and technical textile market sectors. 

We combine scientific acumen with extensive commercial experience, ensuring our solutions are not only technically sophisticated but also commercially viable and easily scalable.

Technological advancements in materials science can improve the effectiveness and usability of protective textiles and equipment. In recent years demand for innovation has been driven by many factors, including:

• An increase in asymmetric warfare and non-conventional tactics including increasing threat of CBRN incidents. 
• Growing emphasis on emergency preparedness and response capabilities boosts the demand for reliable protective apparel and equipment. 
• Stricter international safety and regulatory standards driving the need for the development of new materials and structures.  

NIRI remains dedicated to creating new materials and products that meet both current and future needs of protective textiles.  As a result, we have identified key areas for development and improvement:

• Advanced Filtration Technologies: NIRI leverages its expertise in filtration technologies to develop materials that provide superior protection against liquid chemicals and airborne particles. This includes the use of next-gen chemistries, nanofibres and advanced composite structures to filter out harmful substances effectively.
• Lightweight and Ergonomic Design: We focus on creating protective apparel that is lightweight and ergonomically designed, enhancing user comfort and mobility, whilst reducing material cost. By integrating advanced materials and design techniques, we ensure that protective products do not compromise on safety enabling increased operation field time whilst reducing wearer thermal burden.
• Rapid Detection and Response: NIRI can help businesses in developing smart materials and integrated sensor technologies that enable rapid detection and response to serious threats. These innovations allow for immediate identification of hazardous agents and prompt protective measures.
• Multi-Threat Protection: NIRI can enhance materials that provide multi-threat protection, addressing a range of liquid chemical hazards in a range of environments. Products can be designed to offer comprehensive protection in various high-risk scenarios, ensuring the safety of users in diverse environments.
• Durable and Long-Lasting: Our focus extends to creating durable and long-lasting protection. NIRI employs advanced material treatments and composites that resist wear and degradation, ensuring prolonged use in harsh environments without compromising on safety and effectiveness.
• Market Saturation: Differentiating products in a crowded field requires new approaches to problem-solving, as well as awareness of developments in adjacent fields of product development.
• Circularity and Developing Sustainable Solutions: Modifying and revising product architectures to improve their design and compliance with circular economy principles and ensure compliance with emerging regulations while maintaining high performance.

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PFAS Legislation is Coming: How Manufacturers Can Innovate and Thrive

As industries strive to become more sustainable, manufacturers face mounting pressure to address a critical challenge: replacing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS are employed for their durability and repellence, making them essential across many protective textile industries, including medical and healthcare, first responder garments, defence and CBRN protection. However, pressure to replace PFAS is growing because these substances are generally known to be toxic, persist in the environment and cause widespread contamination. In addition, research has revealed alarming health risks, including elevated cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, reduced vaccine efficacy, and links to kidney and testicular cancers.

But, PFAS represent a very large chemical family of substances, and they are not all equal in terms of persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Their environmental and health risks are governed by the molecular chain length, functional groups and stability. 

Nonetheless, significant legislative developments are now driving the urgency to replace PFAS, as a result of emerging research. Because of the large number of PFAS compounds, restrictions are focussing on targeted PFAS groups, as opposed to isolated compounds. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union’s REACH regulations are set to impose severe restrictions on PFAS usage. Amendments to the Stockholm Convention have expanded the list of restricted PFAS, with subsequent effects across international markets. 

Derogations for PFAS usage are likely to be limited and temporary, so businesses across nonwoven and technical textile industries must act now to remain compliant or risk severe penalties and product restrictions. As regulatory pressures increase, protective industries are being called to innovate and address growing consumer demand for safer, more sustainable products. 

Understanding the chemical nature of PFAS and regulatory focus is also vital to the development of new products and applications. Partnering with external expertise can help to navigate these challenges with greater confidence. 

Companies that fail to adapt to such upcoming restrictions may find themselves quickly outpaced by competitors who embrace innovation. The call to replace PFAS is not just a requirement, it’s an urgent mandate that will shape the future of protective apparel and equipment. 

Now is the time for businesses to invest in research and developmentdemonstrate their commitment environmental strategies and position themselves as leaders in sustainability and innovation.

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PFAS Alternatives: How the Nonwoven Industry Can Respond

The search for direct PFAS replacements has been ongoing for years and is particularly challenging. PFAS have traditionally delivered exceptional alcohol and fluid resistance due to their unique molecular structure. However, PFAS alternatives often struggle to deliver the same level of performance, as they lack the low surface energy given by carbon-fluoride bonds, which is key to robust liquid chemical resistance – a critical requirement for protective textiles.

Repellence to liquid chemicals is crucial to maintain effective protection against pathogen-laden fluids and chemical exposure in extremely hazardous settings. 

Therefore, this challenge demands innovative approaches. The nonwovens and technical textiles industries need a multifaceted strategy to address PFAS replacement, including:

1. Address Over-Specification: Many products are designed to meet performance standards that exceed actual requirements, leading to the overuse of PFAS. Reviewing these specifications can help decrease reliance on these chemicals.
2. Develop Different PFAS Replacement Strategies: No single solution currently exists for replacing PFAS. However, innovative fabric design, intelligent material selection, and surface functionalisation offer promising pathways forward. At NIRI, we have applied these strategies to develop next-generation PFAS-free products, using a combination of lightweight and breathable high-surface area nonwoven structures with durable woven layer. 
3. Ideate Alternative Coatings and Surface Treatments for Oil, Water and Stain Repellency: utilising expertise in polymerisation and coating technologies, NIRI is developing a PFAS-free polymer, in addition to design and replacement strategies. Polymer properties can be engineered and coatings can be produced without the use of harsh solvents.

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Collaboration and Innovation are Key to Success

As leaders in material innovation, NIRI has expertise in developing high performance barrier and filtration technologies, composite structures, PFAS-free alternatives and supporting clients through regulatory transitions. Our fully equipped laboratory includes analytical tools which are essential for understanding the chemical properties of polymers. 

We understand the importance of bringing innovative products to market quickly and efficiently. Our comprehensive suite of services are tailored to help you accelerate the development and commercialisation of your products:

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With our extensive pilot facilities and state-of-the-art analytical laboratories, we fast-track innovation from concept to commercialisation – helping you to de-risk in-house R&D and allocate resources effectively. If you’re looking to enhance protection or accelerate innovation, we’d love to discuss how NIRI can help.