From the 14th to the 17th of November 2023, the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre hosted the 23rd edition of Milipol, a global event that stood as one of the pinnacles of homeland security and safety exhibitions. With a staggering number of exhibitors from 55 countries, Milipol 2023 was the largest gathering in its history, boasting an unprecedented growth of over 40% compared to the last edition.
Exhibitors and Global Presence
Over 1,100 exhibitors, including renowned body armor manufacturers such as Armour Tech, FMS Enterprises, Lubawa SA, Mars Armor, Masada Armour, MKU, CES Composites, Marim Dolphin, Anorak, Mehler Protection, Sioen, Miguel Caballero, Point Blank, Bonowi and NFM, presented their latest products and innovations. Notably, ballistic material manufacturers like Avient Protective Products, Teijin Aramid, Hyosung Advanced Materials, Honeywell and DuPont showcased advancements in materials crucial for body armor production. The event attracted a diverse audience, with 61% of exhibitors coming from abroad, representing 48 countries, including newcomers like Australia, Colombia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Focus on Innovation
Innovation took center stage at Milipol Paris 2023, with the introduction of the Milipol Innovation Awards. These awards recognized outstanding innovations in products, equipment, services, solutions, and business models within six categories, including a dedicated category for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, was one of the finalists with its Circular Solution for Dyneema® fiber end-of-life recycling for this CSR category. The awards ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, November 14, at 2 pm, added an extra layer of excitement to an already dynamic event.
Special Features and Demonstrations
For the first time, Milipol featured a startup area, welcoming 30 startups from Generat by GICAT. These startups had a platform to showcase their innovations, highlighting the entrepreneurial dynamism within the security sector. Additionally, dynamic demonstrations by RAID and GIGN, two elite units of the French National Police, were a novel and exciting addition to this year’s event.
Conference Program and Future Focus
The conference program, in partnership with the Institut des hautes études du ministère de l’Intérieur (IHEMI), centered around the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, addressing the security challenges they presented and exploring the transformative potential and legacies associated with such global events.
Our BodyArmorNews editor engaged in insightful meetings with representatives from various body armor brands, gaining valuable insights into the latest trends, innovations and challenges shaping the industry. This firsthand experience further emphasised the significance of Milipol Paris 2023 as a premier platform for networking and knowledge exchange within the world of ballistic protection.
As the field of ballistic protection undergoes continuous changes, including a notable shift towards eco-friendly and recyclable materials, Milipol Paris 2023 served as an interactive and informative platform for industry professionals, enthusiasts, and the general public to stay abreast of the latest developments.
