Image: AFFOA

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) has announced the launch of the Chemical Protective Textile Challenge, a nationwide initiative sponsored by the Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (CPE CBRND) through its SPARK innovation incubator and administered by AFFOA. The challenge is designed to identify commercially available and high-technology readiness level textile-based materials capable of providing enhanced protection against hydrofluoric acid (HF), jet fuel, rocket fuel and related operational hazards while maintaining the durability, flexibility, manufacturability and comfort required for next-generation protective systems.

Material manufacturers, textile companies, startups, universities, research institutions and other innovators are invited to participate by attending Industry Day Aug. 4 in Fayetteville, N.C., where attendees will gain firsthand insight into the operational need, hear directly from government technical experts and operational end users, network and more.

“Protecting the Warfighter requires continuously identifying and advancing innovative materials that can address evolving operational threats,” said Sasha Stolyarov, Ph.D., CEO of AFFOA. “Through this challenge, AFFOA is bringing together innovators, manufacturers, government stakeholders and operational end users to accelerate the evaluation of promising textile technologies. By combining our national innovation ecosystem with technical expertise and manufacturing knowledge, we can help identify solutions with the greatest potential to strengthen future chemical protective systems and reduce risk for warfighters when facing HF acid, gas and fuel hazards.”

Industry Day

Industry Day is designed to provide prospective participants with a deeper understanding of the challenge while creating opportunities for direct engagement with key stakeholders.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the operational challenges driving the need for improved chemical protective materials.
  • Hear directly from CPE CBRND representatives, technical experts, and operational end users.
  • Participate in optional private pitch sessions to showcase their material solution(s).
  • Display material samples and engage with government stakeholders during the networking session.
  • Gain valuable insight that can strengthen their official challenge submission.

Participation in Industry Day is strongly encouraged but is not required to compete in the challenge.

Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge

Following Industry Day, participants will submit candidate material information and sample packages for technical evaluation by a panel composed of AFFOA, government, industry and operational subject matter experts.

Up to three semifinalists will each receive a $5,000 prize award and advance to an independent testing and validation phase, where their materials will be evaluated against performance objectives. Following testing and final evaluation, one winner will receive an additional $5,000 prize award.

Beyond prize funding, participants have the opportunity to gain valuable visibility with government stakeholders, receive independent technical evaluation of their technologies and contribute to the advancement of next-generation protective materials supporting future defense capabilities.

This challenge aligns with AFFOA’s mission to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced textiles that address critical defense needs. As Challenge Administrator, AFFOA will leverage its nationwide Fabric Innovation Network and technical expertise to identify promising technologies, engage innovators from across the advanced textile ecosystem, coordinate technical evaluations and independent material testing, and support the identification of solutions with strong transition potential. The challenge demonstrates AFFOA’s ability to rapidly connect government needs with commercial innovation through a structured process that combines technology scouting, technical assessment, stakeholder engagement, and manufacturing expertise.

Resources

Challenge details, submission deadlines and the guidebook: affoa.org/chemical-protective-textiles-challenge

Industry Day information, registration and private pitch meeting sign-up: affoa.org/IndustryDay

For additional information regarding eligibility, submission requirements, deadlines or Industry Day, contact the AFFOA team at challenges@affoa.org.

The post AFFOA launches Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge appeared first on Professional Awnings Manufacturers Association PAMA.



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