ENPROTEX

Firebuy links with Belgium and Netherlands for a project to develop innovation in protective textiles

Firebuy received confirmation in June 2009 that it has been successful - along with LFR, a Dutch Ministry Department responsible for the procurement and development of equipment for the fire service in Holland and IBZ which is part of the Home Affairs Ministry dealing with Civil Security in Belgium - in winning funding worth nearly €1 million over three years for a project to develop innovation in protective textiles.

The project itself is called ENPROTEX. The headline objective of the ENPROTEX project for which Firebuy is the lead organisation is to play a significant role in overcoming the current barriers that exist to innovation within the European public procurement arena in the field of protective textiles.

This major objective will use a number of methodologies including:

• Establishing and sustaining a specialised platform of European Network of Public Procurement Organisations in order to overcome existing barriers;
• Developing co-operation amongst public procurers
• Encouraging innovation and providing an interface with both end users and manufacturers

In particular, the project will aim to provide industry with forward commitments for the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) products to encourage industry (including SMEs and through existing associations and trade bodies) to develop innovation in protective textiles.

Members of the Enprotex consortia will additionally liaise with end users to better allow identification of their needs and allow more meaningful and useful engagement with both research organisations and industry in order to bring innovative products, providing enhanced end user safety, to the market.

Common deliverables such as technical specifications and procurement strategies and protocols will also be developed as will a communications web site and portal allowing ready exchange of information.

The project will contribute to wider Lead Market Initiatives by assisting to meet the Commission’s Enterprise and Industry programme by, for example, improving innovation and proposals for sustaining the work of Enprotex beyond its initial term.