Marcell Engel is impressed by the exchange of international experts

9th International Symposium on Physical Protection and Decontamination took place in Munster

Frankfurt/Munster, June 16, 2023. “It was an event of superlatives and offered concentrated specialist knowledge,” says Marcell Engel, managing director of the Frankfurt specialist company Akut SOS Clean GmbH. We are talking about the 9th international symposium on physical protection and decontamination, to which the Defense Science Institute for Protection Technologies - NBC Protection (WIS) of the Bundeswehr in Munster invited.

Every three years, the institute invites international experts in these fields to a three-day symposium. This involves research, development and deployment in the areas of physical protection and decontamination. The world has changed significantly since the last symposium. The global pandemic, for example, required high protection and disinfection capacities. The immense need for effective disinfection became clearer than ever. Furthermore, the war in Ukraine will have an as yet unforeseeable impact on capability requirements and the need for improved or adapted equipment and innovative technologies with regard to physical protection and decontamination. After contact with biological or chemical warfare agents, radioactive fallout or toxic industrial chemicals, it is essential to decontaminate operationally important material as quickly as possible. This ensures that harmful effects are minimized and operational readiness is restored. Marcell Engel: “Another important consideration is civil protection, which was discussed in detail with regard to decontamination.”

This year's meeting took place under completely different conditions than previous symposiums. The completely new starting point was reflected in the lectures, in the discussions and, above all, in the many innovative scientific aspects, methods and technologies.

The symposium is aimed at international defense ministries or civil defense departments, procurement and technology agencies, research institutes, military CBRN experts and industry.

"As an expert in disinfection and decontamination, I always consider the exchange of specialist knowledge and new research results to be important. This meeting of proven specialists was extremely enriching for me. I am pleased that I was able to take part in it," explains Marcell Engel in conclusion.