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Workshop Partners |
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FFF General Partner |
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FFF Strategic Partner |
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FFF Partner
FFF R&D Partner
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Mobility Partner |
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- DATE: Wed 21 October 2026
- VENUE: PVA EXPO PRAGUE
- FORMAT: Presentations and Moderated Panel Discussions
- PROGRAMME
- FREE WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
- Event is part of the Future Forces Exhibition & Forum 2026
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
ECOBALLIFE brings together leading European research organisations, industrial partners and end users to develop more sustainable approaches to personal and platform protection systems. The project explores how advanced protection performance can be combined with eco-design, resource efficiency and circular-economy principles.
The project addresses the entire life cycle of protection solutions – from material selection and manufacturing to use, maintenance, recycling, material recovery and end-of-life management. Its objective is to demonstrate how sustainability and circularity can be integrated into defence and security applications while maintaining the demanding levels of protection, safety, reliability and durability required in operational environments.
The workshop will present key results of the ECOBALLIFE project and connect them with perspectives from industry, end users, public organisations and other stakeholders across the European protection-system value chain. Participants will discuss current challenges, practical opportunities and future priorities for making protection systems more sustainable, resource-efficient and resilient. The discussion will also consider how new materials, manufacturing approaches and circular solutions can support European resilience and security of supply.
KEY DISCUSSION TOPICS
- Sustainability vs. Performance – how to reduce the environmental footprint of protection systems without compromising protection, safety, reliability or service life
- Circular Economy in Defence – practical opportunities for reuse, repair, refurbishment, recycling and material recovery, as well as the barriers that still limit wider implementation
- European Sovereignty and Security of Supply – how to strengthen resilience in critical materials and manufacturing while reducing dependence on external supply chains
- Future Priorities – technologies, materials, business models and R&D activities with the greatest potential for the next generation of personal and platform protection systems
PROGRAMME
Section #1 – Innovations for Sustainable Protection Systems
The first part of the workshop will present the main results of the ECOBALLIFE project in the areas of personal protection, platform protection and sustainability assessment. It will highlight solutions that combine high protection performance with lower weight, more efficient use of materials and more sustainable manufacturing approaches.
The presentations will showcase new materials, lightweight and modular protection concepts, advanced manufacturing approaches and methods for evaluating environmental impact, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The session will conclude with a moderated panel discussion and audience Q&A focused on project achievements, remaining challenges and opportunities for wider industrial implementation.
| Project Introduction | Mr. Iñigo Agote, TECNALIA |
| Driving Sustainability in Ballistic Personal Protection: Eco-Design and Lightweight PPE | Mrs. Gilda Santos, CITEVE Mr. José Gisbert, AITEX |
| Modular, Multi-Layer Platform Protection Systems: Novel Concepts for New Threats | Mr. Alessio Bassano, Leonardo |
| Sustainability, LCA and Living Lab | Mr. Richard Seddon, TECNALIA |
| ECOBALLIFE Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A | |
Section #2 – Stakeholder Round Table: Sustainability and the Future of Protection Systems
The second part of the workshop will broaden the discussion beyond the ECOBALLIFE project and address the wider European protection-system ecosystem.
Representatives of public and strategic organisations, operational end users, raw-material and material suppliers, protection-system manufacturers and system integrators will discuss how sustainability objectives can be translated into practical technologies, procurement requirements and future industrial strategies. Particular attention will be given to connecting user needs, industrial capabilities and research expertise.
The session will focus on the main barriers to wider implementation of sustainable solutions, opportunities for cooperation across the value chain and priorities for future research, innovation and industrial deployment. The aim is to identify areas where cooperation can accelerate the adoption of circular-economy principles across the European defence and security industry.
The session will include:
- Stakeholder perspectives from across the value chain
- Moderated round-table discussion
- Audience Q&A
ABOUT ECOBALLIFE
ECOBALLIFE is a European collaborative project dedicated to advancing sustainability and circularity in personal and platform protection systems.
The project develops and validates innovative materials, manufacturing processes, recycling approaches and assessment methodologies aimed at reducing environmental impact while maintaining the high levels of performance required for defence and security applications. It also explores ways to extend service life, recover materials and use resources more efficiently.
By bringing together research organisations, industry partners, end users and public stakeholders, ECOBALLIFE contributes to the development of more sustainable, resource-efficient and resilient protection solutions for Europe and supports the wider discussion on the future of European defence manufacturing and strategic autonomy.
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