Blücher GmbH Chemical and Biological Protective Garments and Fragment Protective Clothing

Since its foundation by Hasso and Hubert von Blücher in 1969, the Blücher group has maintained its high ethical and technological standards.

The protection of life is central to all activities. The company is a world market leader in the development and production of adsorptive compound materials for the protection against chemical and biological warfare agents. All activities for the protection of First Responders and military are consolidated under the brand name SARATOGA^®.

SARATOGA® – a worldwide trusted and tested technology

The SARATOGA^® technology is established in more than 53 nations worldwide, including 21 out of 28 NATO states and the OPCW inspectors. To date, more than 12 million SARATOGA^® protective suits for first responders, special and military forces have been delivered to customers all over the world.

In accordance with our tradition of innovative excellence, the entire value chain from raw materials to complex system solutions is covered by the company’s own development and production. Our proficient teams of experienced scientists, textile engineers and design specialists work together with strategic partners, including specialised laboratories and institutes for steady further development of our products.

Beyond Blücher’s in-house research and development activities for first responder, as well as military protective technologies and equipment, the company is participating in various R&D projects funded by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and by European security research programmes.

The threats which first responders and other security forces are facing during their missions and the resulting requirements for protective equipment continuously motivate the Blücher group to create new ideas and projects.

Users are permanently looking for materials with enhanced and broad band protection for personal protection, always adapted for the specific operation. The optimisation of wear physiology and ergonomics, longer lifetime and the integration of systems with maximum flexibility and modularity are further priorities.

Parallel to product development, research work also concentrates on describing these evolving features of personal protective equipment (PPE) with quantitative and objective methods, which can then reliably predict and demonstrate the suitability for the user.

Protective CBRN technology for first responders

SARATOGA^® CBRN protective clothing includes overgarments, uniforms, undergarments, as well as hand and foot protection. The core technology for SARATOGA^® CBRN protective clothing is based on a unique range of spherical adsorbers, which are specifically engineered for the adsorption of chemical warfare agents. Dedicated fabric processing technologies enable the manufacturing of highly air permeable, extremely flexible and durable textile compounds and clothing systems.

Initiated by user requests to fill the existing gap in protection, Blücher has developed CBRN protective suits, which additionally provide an efficient air-permeable aerosol protective performance while maintaining its physiological characteristics.

SARATOGA® fabrics – a new generation of highest protection

A new generation of lightweight, comfortable, durable and stretchable SARATOGA^® fabrics enabled the development of CBRN protective undergarments, socks and gloves with extensive CBRN protection, including aerosol protection. Meanwhile, First Responders and EOD teams are benefitting from the combination of low-profile, excellent wear physiology and high levels of protection.

SARATOGA^® CBRN protective boots with an adapted design and an integrated, air permeable, adsorptive and durable liner material, provide essential mobility in connection with protection without additional weight.

Fragment protective clothing

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) do not only threaten the military in international war and crisis scenarios, their importance and relevance on the field of internal security have been permanently growing.

SARATOGA^® Fragment Protective Clothing is a comprehensive and innovative product system,that significantly enhances protection against the effects of IED explosions. The holistic approach to a modular system of lightweight FP Clothing closes the gap in the protection provided by currently fielded body armour. The PPE offers body protection against secondary fragments, cut and slash effects. A new generation of multi-functional, low burden and ergonomic protective clothing has evolved.

Fulfilling the latest requirements for overall comfort performance the normal physiological functioning is highly supported. Besides maximum wear comfort, unlimited mobility and a constant protection level (also during extended periods of operational duty) it will have a major impact on reducing the number and severity of IED explosion-based injuries. This innovative material technology has been incorporated into a patented clothing concept with a wide range of products.

Combined fragment and CBRN fabrics for optimal protection

Scenarios which require both fragment protection and CBRN protection (e.g. during dirty bomb disposal) can be covered with a new combination of both these SARATOGA^® application areas. An excellent flexible solution for users who are not equipped with EOD suits.