CBRN/Hazmat Demand Is Rising: Why Public Safety and Businesses Must Prepare
In 2025, the global market for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defense solutions is projected to surpass US$18.7 billion, with expectations to reach nearly US$25 billion by 2030 (NextMSC, 2025). This surge is driven not only by military and national defense needs but also by rising geopolitical tensions, industrial hazards, threats from non-state actors, and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.
For public safety agencies, including fire, EMS, hazmat, and law enforcement, as well as private industries such as healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and logistics, CBRN preparedness is no longer optional. The growing demand reflects a stark reality: the following major incident may involve chemical, biological, or radiological hazards, and organizations that are unprepared for these threats risk severe operational, financial, and human consequences.
Escalation of Global Threats & Non-State Actor Risk
The modern threat environment has shifted dramatically. Non-state actors and terrorist organizations increasingly view CBRN agents as force multipliers capable of inflicting mass casualties and widespread panic. According to VisionGain (2025), this shift toward asymmetric tactics increases the risk to civilian populations and critical infrastructure.
Public safety agencies must now contend with scenarios that blend conventional emergencies with potential chemical or biological attacks. Similarly, private industries handling hazardous materials or operating in densely populated areas face dual risks: accidents and deliberate attacks.
Call-Out: “CBRN incidents are no longer abstract scenarios; they are operational realities demanding cross-sector preparedness.”
Modern industries, from chemical manufacturing to healthcare, frequently handle hazardous substances. Radiological sources are present in hospitals, research laboratories, and industrial facilities. Even routine operational errors, if compounded by malicious intent, can escalate into catastrophic CBRN incidents. This shared risk landscape makes preparedness a strategic imperative. Organizations can no longer view CBRN readiness as a specialized concern of the military or the public sector.
Governments are responding by investing in detection, protection, and response systems. The growth of the CBRN market demonstrates that compliance, safety, and readiness are no longer confined to first responders. Private companies are expected to meet similar standards, whether through OSHA guidelines, EPA regulations, or industry best practices (NextMSC, 2025).
CBRN Readiness: A Multi-Dimensional Approach
For both public safety and private enterprises, readiness requires more than technology. Effective preparedness integrates detection, protection, training, planning, and organizational culture.
Advancements in sensor miniaturization, hybrid detection systems, and AI-driven analytics enable rapid identification of chemical, biological, or radiological hazards. Facilities can now deploy monitoring systems that continuously analyze environmental conditions and alert teams to potential threats (IndustryResearch.biz, 2025).
The demand for specialized suits, respirators, and decontamination kits continues to rise (Market Research Future, 2025). Public safety agencies must ensure responders are protected. For private organizations, proper PPE is critical to risk management and regulatory compliance.
Technology alone cannot guarantee safety. Organizations need:
Regular training cycles and realistic drills
Integrated emergency response plans for chemical, biological, and radiological incidents
Clear coordination protocols with local authorities, first responders, and industry partners
A recent review highlighted significant gaps in prehospital CBRN readiness, including insufficient training and inadequate PPE (Global BioDefense, 2025).
CBRN incidents create lingering hazards. Effective preparedness encompasses decontamination capabilities, isolation procedures, and business continuity planning, whether for a city, hospital, or corporate facility. CBRN preparedness requires cooperation between public safety agencies, private enterprises, regulatory bodies, and community stakeholders. Shared intelligence, threat modeling, and coordinated response strategies are essential to minimize impact.
Leadership Implications: Public Safety and Industry
Leaders must embed hazard awareness into organizational culture. This includes conducting vulnerability assessments, allocating resources for protective technologies, and ensuring teams are trained for worst-case scenarios.
CBRN threats should be treated alongside other enterprise risks such as cybersecurity, natural disasters, and supply chain disruptions. For businesses, preparedness reduces financial liability, operational disruption, and reputational damage.
Organizations must develop multidisciplinary response capabilities. Training should cover detection technologies, medical protocols, decontamination, crisis communications, and coordination with public safety agencies.
AI analytics, drones, wearable sensors, and robotics enhance detection and response but must complement, not replace, planning and training. Overreliance on technology without adequate preparedness can create a false sense of security (IndustryResearch.biz, 2025).
Public Safety Takeaways
Fire, EMS, and hazmat agencies must expand training and operational scope to include CBRN scenarios.
Investment in PPE, detection systems, and cross-agency coordination is critical.
Leadership must foster a culture of continuous improvement and readiness.
Business Takeaways
CBRN preparedness is essential for business continuity and regulatory compliance.
Risk management strategies should include threat assessment, training, technology integration, and emergency planning.
Cross-sector partnerships enhance resilience and reduce potential impact.
Overcoming Barriers to CBRN Preparedness
CBRN technology, PPE, and training programs are expensive. A phased approach allows organizations to prioritize critical investments first. Integrating CBRN capabilities into existing operations requires strong leadership, interdepartmental collaboration, and clear SOPs. Many organizations underestimate CBRN risk. Regular risk assessments and scenario planning help build awareness. Practical training is essential. Regular drills, cross-sector exercises, and updated SOPs ensure readiness (Global BioDefense, 2025).
Conclusion
CBRN threats are no longer a niche concern. The expansion of the global CBRN market highlights a universal truth: chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards impact public safety and private industry alike.
Preparedness requires proactive leadership, investment in technology, training, and cross-sector collaboration. Public safety agencies, industrial operators, and corporate leaders who embed CBRN readiness into their organizational strategy will mitigate risk, protect lives, safeguard assets, and ensure operational continuity.
At Summit Response Group, we specialize in training, planning, and operational readiness programs for both public safety and private industry, helping organizations face today’s CBRN threats with confidence.
References
Global BioDefense. (2025, June 12). Critical gaps in prehospital readiness for CBRN threats: A wake-up call for emergency health systems. Global BioDefense. https://globalbiodefense.com/2025/06/12/critical-gaps-in-prehospital-readiness-for-cbrn-threats-a-wake-up-call-for-emergency-health-systems/
IndustryResearch.biz. (2025). CBRN defense market report 2025. IndustryResearch.biz. https://www.industryresearch.biz/market-reports/cbrn-defense-market
Market Research Future. (2025). CBRN defense market overview, size, share & trend analysis 2030. Market Research Future. https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cbrn-defense-market
NextMSC. (2025, March). CBRN defense market surges past USD 18 billion as global threats intensify. NextMSC. https://www.nextmsc.com/news/cbrn-defense-market
VisionGain. (2025). CBRN defense market 2025–2030: Global market outlook. VisionGain. https://visiongain.com/report/cbrn-market-2025/
Allied Market Research. (2025). Chemical, biological, radiological & nuclear (CBRN) defence market – future trends and growth. Allied Market Research. https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/resource-center/trends-and-outlook/aerospace-and-defence/securing-nations-the-future-of-chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-security
