---
title: "Subscribers"
description: "CBRNe World provides those tasked with defending against CBRN and IED threats with the essential practical, scientific and political information. Access the current and previous issues of the magazine by registering as a member."
url: "https://cbrneworld.com/news/subscribers?start=1209"
date: "2026-07-31T14:41:34+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

[![](https://cbrneworld.com/templates/yootheme/cache/c5/Tularemia-c5af0980.png)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1185:tularemia-bacterium-hibernates-and-can-be-traced-in-terror-attacks&catid=12)

##  [Tularemia bacterium hibernates and can be traced in terror attacks](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1185:tularemia-bacterium-hibernates-and-can-be-traced-in-terror-attacks&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 27 February 2019.

According to a new doctoral thesis at Umeå University, Francisella tularensis, the bacterium that causes tularemia, can survive in a dormant state for long periods before causing a new outbreak. The thesis also proposes a method for tracing the bacterium if it is used as a biological weapon.

"Its potency to become dangerous in small amounts, unfortunately, makes this bacteria an ideal candidate as a biological weapon. Therefore, it is important that we have found a way to trace the origin of different bacterial cultures," says Chinmay Dwibedi, a doctoral student at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University and the Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI.

In one study, the Francisella tularensis bacterium was analyzed in infected people and animals during repeated outbreaks in Örebro County in mid-Sweden. It was then discovered that the bacterial genome remained identical for up to nine years. Furthermore, the bacterium could survive for four years without nutrition in a laboratory experiment. In another study, the researchers could see that the bacterium could migrate several thousand kilometers through continental Europe with little change in its genome.

"The results indicate that there is a natural storage effect for the bacterium that can be compared to a microbial seed bank so that it enters a dormant state between outbreaks before reactivating and causing new infections. It also appears that the bacterium has the ability to migrate rapidly for long distances leaving little evolutionary signals to map its movement," says Chinmay Dwibedi.

In his thesis, Dwibedi shows a promising method that Umeå researchers have developed to trace the bacterium. By enhancing certain genetic signals, it could be seen that some genetic variants and mutations, present in low numbers, benefited from life in the laboratory. These mutations were strategically enriched and could be used as signatures. These bio-signatures made it possible to determine whether an outbreak was caused by natural infection or whether it was, for example, the cause of a terrorist attack in which bacteria had been cultivated in laboratories.

 [Detection](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/detection), [Biological](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/biological)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/templates/yootheme/cache/25/Curevac_GMP-Vial-25a8f8fb.jpeg)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1184:cepi-awards-us-34m-contract-to-curevac-to-advance-the-rna-printer&catid=12)

##  [CEPI awards US$ 34M contract to CureVac to advance The RNA Printer](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1184:cepi-awards-us-34m-contract-to-curevac-to-advance-the-rna-printer&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 27 February 2019.

It was announced today that the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and CureVac AG, a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the field of mRNA-based vaccines, have announced a partnership agreement worth up to US$ 34 million for the ongoing development of The RNA Printer prototype—a transportable, down-scaled, automated messenger RNA (mRNA) printing facility. This innovative platform will provide a rapid supply of lipid-nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated mRNA vaccine candidates that can target known pathogens (including Lassa Fever, Yellow Fever, and Rabies) and prepare for rapid response to new and previously unknown pathogens (referred to by WHO as “Disease X”).

 [Protection](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/protection), [Biological](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/biological), [Technology](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/technology)

 [Read more …CEPI awards US$ 34M contract to CureVac to advance The RNA Printer](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1184:cepi-awards-us-34m-contract-to-curevac-to-advance-the-rna-printer&catid=12)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/images/News-Images/CBORD.png#thumbnail=%2C&srcset=1)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1183:saphygate-gn-tested-by-customs-in-poland&catid=12)

##  [SaphyGATE GN tested by customs in Poland](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1183:saphygate-gn-tested-by-customs-in-poland&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 26 February 2019.

Each year, more and more merchandise transit all around the world and goods control has become a raising issue for customs in a context of terrorism threat. Freight containers in particular are potential means of smuggling illegal items such as nuclear and chemical warfare agents. Thanks to the [C-BORD project ](https://www.cbord-h2020.eu/)(Effective Container Inspection at BORDer Control Points), funded by the EU programme Horizon 2020, new technologies have been developed to detect Special Nuclear Material (SNM), that may enter in the production process of dirty bombs or Radiological Dispersion Devices (RDD).

Bertin Technologies has developed in collaboration with the CEA a new SNM detection system for the control of road, rail and container loads. The SaphyGATE GN has been successfully tested by the CEA as part of the C-BORD project: this [new generation portal monitor ](https://www.bertin-instruments.com/products-range/radiation-portal-monitors/)capable of detecting gamma and neutron radioactive sources without using 3He gas underwent a vast series of tests in Poland’s deep-water container terminal, DCT-Gdańsk.

Thanks to its advanced technology of high volume plastic scintillation detectors, the SaphyGATE GN detects artificial and natural radioactive sources, even weak. Ideally suited for homeland security, border control and sensitive access control, the system will prevent illicit movements of radioactive materials in critical sites such as customs, harbors, airports, etc., while providing noninvasive inspection of containers.

The tests carried out in Gdańsk consisted in demonstrating the effectiveness of the controls based on specially prepared cargo. The SaphyGATE GN proved its efficiency thanks to its state-of-the-art technology, placing it at the forefront of the fight against SNM trafficking.

Find out more about Bertin's range of radiation portal monitors [here](https://www.bertin-instruments.com/products-range/radiation-portal-monitors/)

 [Detection](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/detection), [Security](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/security), [Nuclear](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/nuclear), [Radiological](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/radiological)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/templates/yootheme/cache/ea/Vaccine_Bottles-ea8a8c20.jpeg)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1182:themis-bioscience-receives-fda-fast-track-for-chikungunya-vaccine&catid=12)

##  [Themis Bioscience Receives FDA Fast Track for Chikungunya Vaccine ](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1182:themis-bioscience-receives-fda-fast-track-for-chikungunya-vaccine&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 26 February 2019.

[Themis Bioscience](https://www.themisbio.com/) announced on February 25th that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to the Company’s lead vaccine candidate for the prevention of Chikungunya (MV-CHIK).

The program is the most advanced Chikungunya vaccine candidate and has already successfully completed Phase 2 clinical development with results recently published in The Lancet*.* MV-CHIK is the first candidate from Themis’ innovative immunomodulation platform based on the measles vector, one of the safest and most efficacious vaccines available, and has already been tested in over 600 study volunteers in the US, EU, and Central America.

“Chikungunya has been identified in over 60 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas and remains a major public health concern due to the increased outbreak prevalence,” said Erich Tauber, CEO of Themis Bioscience. “The FDA decision to grant fast track designation to MV-CHIK, recognizes the urgency to prevent this disease and will greatly support our pivotal Phase 3 development efforts this year. It will also allow us to work more closely with the FDA and expedite our efforts to provide a vaccine product to the population as soon as possible.”

 [Threat](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/threat), [Protection](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/protection), [Biological](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/biological)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/templates/yootheme/cache/b2/Kromek_for_news-b2d7e4d7.png)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1181:kromek-secures-contract-with-new-oem-customer&catid=12)

##  [Kromek secures contract with new OEM customer](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1181:kromek-secures-contract-with-new-oem-customer&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 26 February 2019.

Kromek, a worldwide supplier of detection technology focusing on the medical, security screening and nuclear markets, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract by a new OEM customer to supply CZT detectors for use in the nuclear security market.

The contract, which commences immediately, is worth at least $1.4 million and will be delivered over a three-year period, with minimum annual volumes for each year.

Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, commented: “It is very pleasing to sign another multi-year contract with a new OEM customer in the nuclear security market. This further validates the strength of our high-resolution detectors that enable accurate identification of threats. The contract increases our visibility of future revenue and, with our recent fundraising, we are better able to capitalize on similar opportunities in this fast-growing market.”

Further information is available at [www.kromek.com](https://www.kromek.com/)

 [Detection](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/detection), [Security](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/security), [Nuclear](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/nuclear)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/templates/yootheme/cache/58/Center_for_Dom_Prep-583fce0f.png)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1180:cdp-to-receive-20m-to-enhance-facilities&catid=12)

##  [CDP to receive $20M to enhance facilities](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1180:cdp-to-receive-20m-to-enhance-facilities&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 25 February 2019.

The Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) has announced it will receive an additional $20 million to modernize facilities, courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2019.

The funding was first announced on Friday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, the appropriations bill provides the CDP with an annual budget of $66 million and a further $20 million for capital investments.

“The $20 million is an investment in the future of the CDP, the future of Calhoun County and the future of our nation,” said CDP Superintendent Tony Russell, “It will provide necessary enhancements to the CDP campus so we can continue to provide critical training to state, local, tribal and territorial first responders, as well as others who train here.”

The capital improvements are set to include, renovation of the Advanced Responder Training Complex, and critical electrical system upgrades at the Chemical, Ordnance, Biological, and Radiological, Training Facility, among others.

In the past few years, CDP residential training of state, local, tribal and territorial responders has grown almost 20 percent, to about 14,000 annually, Meanwhile, training at the CDP by DHS and other federal partners has grown by more than 400 percent, to about 3,000 annually.

Overall, the CDP trains approximately 50,000 students per year, and since its founding in 1998, has trained more than 1.1 million.

 [Equipment](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/equipment)

     ##  [KSU professors design toxic gas sensor for firefighters](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1179:ksu-professors-design-toxic-gas-sensor-for-firefighters&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 25 February 2019.

Two Kent State professors are on their way to advancing safety for first-responders, military personnel, and chemical manufacturing workers.

Dr. Torsten Hegmann, associate director of the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, and Dr. Elda Hegmann, assistant professor of the institute and the Department of Biological Sciences, have received a three-year, $330,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue their work studying liquid crystal-nanoparticle sensors that detect toxic gases and vapors without the use of electricity.

The integrative sensor systems, which Drs. Torsten and Elda Hegmann have developed with Merck Performance Materials, can display an unmistakable warning in the form of text or an image in the presence of toxic gases and vapors, and provide parts-per-million level sensitivity. The current prototypes are about 1-inch squares, appear black until a toxic gas in the air reacts with the surface, revealing a skull and crossbones. Each sensor is specific to a particular toxic gas, such as phosgene.

Dr. Torsten Hegmann said the project may help them to produce various sensors uniquely designed for highly toxic gases that could protect the lives and health of firefighters and other first responders, military personnel in conflict zones and workers in chemical manufacturing, among others. Sensors for volatile gases and vapors exhaled by humans also could be used to monitor disease states and disease progression.

The project also is supported by a $100,000 grant from the TeCK Fund, a hybrid technology commercialization accelerator program jointly administered by Kent State and Cleveland State University, with funding provided by the Ohio Third Frontier Commission and the two universities.

 [Detection](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/detection), [Identification](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/identification), [CBRNe](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/cbrne), [Chemical](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/chemical), [Detector](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/detector)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/templates/yootheme/cache/71/G36_pro_7-7124c378.jpeg)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1177:gign-select-modular-rifle-stock&catid=12)

##  [GIGN select modular rifle stock ](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1177:gign-select-modular-rifle-stock&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 21 February 2019.

BCB International Ltd announced today that the elite police tactical unit of the French National Gendarmerie, the GIGN, have selected the FRAMM modular stock for their H&K G36 and HK-UMP rifles.

Face shields, respirators, and rifle stocks have never been the best of bed-fellows. Once fully lowered or donned, these pieces of protection, that are essential for law enforcement in many situations, suddenly become a nuisance, interfering with the positioning of weapons carried by armed officers.

To combat this problem BCB International Ltd brought to market the FRAMM, an adjustable and foldable stock that allows firearms officers to comfortably shoulder, aim and discharge their firearms in all firing positions while wearing a ballistic helmet with the visor fully lowered or a respirator.

BCB International’s FRAMM® Project Manager, Philippe Minchin, said: “The FRAMM® is not your typical helmet rifle butt stock. It removes the need for both non-visored and visored officers to have to alternate between butt stocks to fit the situation they are faced with. At a press of a button, the FRAMM® enables an officer to switch from a classic straight alignment to a lowered setting of their choosing thereby eliminating the risk of their helmet visors or respirator masks interfering with the shouldering, aiming and firing of their weapon. The FRAMM® is the modular stock to suit all their mission requirements.”

BCB also have plans to produce FRAMM variants for the following firearms in the near future: FN HERSTAL-SCAR, HK-MP5 A2, BERETTA-ARX 160, HK-MP5K-PDW, REMINGTON-ACR, CZ-805 A1 BREN, SIG SAUER-550/551.., SIG SAUER MCX, B&T-APC556.

For more information visit BCB's website [here](http://bcbin.com/product/framm-weapon-stock/)

 [Equipment](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/equipment), [CBRNe](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/cbrne)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/templates/yootheme/cache/de/KNOX_Social-media-FINAL-dec512ad.png)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1176:mydefence-introduces-new-anti-drone-solution&catid=12)

##  [MyDefence introduces new anti-drone solution](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1176:mydefence-introduces-new-anti-drone-solution&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 21 February 2019.

For the past three years, MyDefence has been hard at work with development of a new type of anti-drone system that can effectively solve the problem of protecting large scale areas against the threat of drones. The system is named *KNOX* and is a customizable end-to-end anti-drone solution with purpose-built RF sensors, drone radars, and integrated EO/IR for visual tracking. KNOX is now available for commercial use at airports, prisons, critical infrastructure as well as for military use for base security.

The KNOX anti-drone solution fortifies an area against unauthorized drone flights, providing both passive detection and active defeat solutions to neutralize any small drones in the secured airspace. The name *KNOX* is inspired from the infamous *Fort Knox* – one of the most secure locations on earth. To accomplish the most effective detect-and-defeat solution, KNOX utilizes different sensor technologies, which each serves a purpose in detecting, locating, tracking and defeating a drone threat in the vicinity of the secured area.

The anti-drone system includes RF sensors to detect and ultimately defeat drone threats. For military customers, we supply reactive smart jamming effectors – a next generation jamming technology with the least possible impact on other radio communication. Other sensor technology includes purpose-built drone radars that track the location of drones as well as integrated EO/IR for visual tracking in real-time. The combination of sensor technologies complements each other to provide the best possible protection against unauthorized drones.

For more information on KNOX click [here](https://mydefence.dk/anti-drone-solutions/knox-anti-drone-solution/)

 [Security](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/security), [Protection](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/protection), [Drone](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/drones)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/templates/yootheme/cache/f6/LOGO_PB_TECHNOLOGIES-f62abbf6.jpeg)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1175:paul-boye&catid=12)

##  [Paul Boye supporting CBRN preparedness in Africa](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1175:paul-boye&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 20 February 2019.

Since September 2015 Paul Boyé Technologies has been managing the contract “Provision of specialized CBRN equipment for training first responders” in the scope of CoE project 50 to enhance CBRN preparedness and response capabilities of different countries of the African Atlantic Façade and Eastern and Central Africa (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal and Uganda) with the support of the European Commission (DG DEVCO), EU Delegation and the National Focal Points based in each country.

The first part of this project (2016) was dedicated to the delivery of CBRN equipment to each country including individual protective equipment, chemical, biological and radiological detectors, sampling and decontamination equipment together with consumables and spare parts to cover CBRN missions over 3 years. The second part of the project (2016 and 2017) included national training sessions held in each partner country.

The main objective was to train the users coming from different authorities (civil protection, firefighters, police, customs, special forces, emergency medical services) on how to operate the equipment and perform its maintenance. The training included both theoretical
and practical sessions, featured demonstrations of the equipment as well as outdoors exercises and simulations. The last part of the project will be the maintenance and calibration of the equipment, to allow continuous operational capability.

Following this first contract, Paul Boyé Technologies has been awarded a new contract by the European Commission for the Provision of specialized CBRN equipment for the training of personnel in charge of border control in North Africa and Sahel (Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mali,
Mauritania, Morocco, Niger and Tunisia). With this contract, 13 African countries will have been equipped and trained with CBRN equipment provided by Paul Boyé Technologies.

 [Equipment](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/equipment), [CBRNe](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/cbrne), [Protection](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/protection)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/images/Manchester_Uni.png#thumbnail=%2C&srcset=1)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1138:the-national-graphene-institute-lifesaver&catid=12)

##  [The National Graphene Institute & LifeSaver](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1138:the-national-graphene-institute-lifesaver&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 13 February 2019.

The National Graphene Institute (NGI), based at the University of Manchester, has recently entered into an 18-month research project with [LifeSaver](https://iconlifesaver.com/), a UK-based manufacturer of portable and reusable water filtration systems.

The aim of the project is to develop [graphene](https://www.graphene.manchester.ac.uk/) technology that can be used for enhanced water filtration. The goal is to create a proprietary, patented, cutting-edge product capable of eliminating an even wider range of hazardous contaminants than currently removed by its existing high performance ultra-filtration process.

Graphene has emerged as a material with fantastic potential for water filtration and desalination in recent years, with researchers on [graphene membranes ](https://www.graphene.manchester.ac.uk/learn/applications/membranes/)at NGI leading the way.

By incorporating graphene into its existing water purification technology, LifeSaver hopes to reduce the sieve size of its hollow fiber filtration membrane from the current 15 nanometers to about 1-3 nanometers. At that size, LifeSaver products could remove a much wider range of contaminants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, certain chemicals and potentially even nuclear radiation, from drinking water supplies.

"The University of Manchester is the world-leading centre for graphene membrane development, and LifeSaver has the expertise in making a portable water filter. This is a great example of a collaborative project where we are trying to combine two independently developed technologies into one, to enhance the quality and availability of drinking water for those who need it most" said Professor Rahul Nair, project lead at the University of Manchester.

 [Technology](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/technology)

       [![](https://cbrneworld.com/images/DHS_Logo.png#thumbnail=%2C&srcset=1)](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1136:dhs-s-t-holds-operational-experiment-in-houston&catid=12)

##  [DHS S&T Holds Operational Experiment in Houston](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1136:dhs-s-t-holds-operational-experiment-in-houston&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 08 February 2019.

More than 220 participants from 13 Houston-area public safety agencies and 20 industry partners tested first responder technology integration in a December exercise at the Port of Houston. Led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) [Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)](https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology), the [Next Generation First Responder (NGFR)](https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/ngfr) – Harris County Operational Experimentation (OpEx) included the United States Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Office of Emergency Communications.

The experiment integrated next-generation first responder technology and safety agencies’ existing technology to assess their interoperability using guidance from the [NGFR Integration Handbook](https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/ngfr/handbook).

“Our first responders face dangerous, evolving threats while often equipped with outdated and proprietary technologies that restrict their ability to communicate between agencies at the incident scene,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology William N. Bryan. The December OpEx demonstrated how DHS-developed and commercial technologies integrated with existing public safety systems using open standards during a HAZMAT scenario. The OpEx also assessed how integrated capabilities enhanced operational communications, increased operational coordination, improved responder safety and augmented situational awareness.

“This was a rare and valuable opportunity for responders from different jurisdictions to get together and go through the paces of coordinating an effective, unified response to an escalating emergency,” Mr. Bryan said. “Communities rely on first responders and first responders rely on smart interoperable technologies to help them focus on their mission without distractions. Homeland security begins with hometown security and DHS S&T is working with first responders to increase community resilience and advance first responder technology.”

The experiment scenario included an offshore simulated fuel leak from ships in the port, tested technologies that included responder and patient physiological monitoring sensors, indoor location tracking, HAZMAT sensors, smart alerting for responders and incident command, advanced data analytics, and situational awareness and collaboration dashboards.

“This is the first true field test of technologies integrated through the NGFR Integration Handbook,” said OpEx Project Director, Sridhar Kowdley. “The OpEx was intended to help improve the communications pipeline between the incident command center and boots-on-the-ground responders so information can be shared to increase awareness and affect a coordinated response.”

The NGFR – Harris County OpEx builds upon NGFR’s series of[ integration demonstrations](https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/ngfr-integration-demonstrations) that test and showcase the interoperability of technologies currently in development. These demonstrations have evolved into exercises with partner public safety agencies across the U.S. and have produced materials to aid first responders and command centers to implement new technologies that address capability gaps.

The next operational experiment is scheduled for Summer 2019.

 [Training](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/training), [First Responder](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/first-responder), [Technology](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/technology)

     ##  [Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Reaches Milestone](https://cbrneworld.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1135:pueblo-chemical-agent-destruction-pilot-plant-reaches-milestone&catid=12)

 Written by Zoe Rutherford on 06 February 2019.

The team led by Bechtel at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) marked a significant milestone on February 5th, the safe elimination of 100,000 munitions from the chemical weapons stockpile located at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

The 100,000 munitions destroyed all contained mustard agent, "This milestone is a key step forward in achieving our mission here at PCAPP," said Bechtel Project Manager Bret Griebenow. "It is significant, and shows the operational ability of the plant, and our team, to safely and effectively destroy the remaining weapons."

PCAPP, the first of a kind plant, began operations in 2016 and presently processes around 400 munitions per day. The plant has now disposed of over 500 U.S. tons of chemical agent and when operations are complete, the team will have destroyed more than 2,600 tons of mustard agent in three types of chemical weapons.

A first-of-a-kind robotic process is used at PCAPP to neutralize weapons by removing the explosive components from each projectile. The robotics then remotely access the weapon's interior and drain the liquid agent. The agent is chemically neutralized using hot water followed by the addition of a caustic solution so the chemical process can't be reversed. The resulting wastewater is transferred to the biotreatment stage, which consists of large tanks containing microbes that digest and further break down the solution into brine. The brine salt is separated and disposed at a permitted facility, and the water recycled back into the plant. The metal munition bodies are heated to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes and later shipped off site to be recycled.

 [Chemical](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/chemical), [CWA](https://cbrneworld.com/component/tags/tag/cwa)

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