What Research International does

Research International, Inc. is a privately held Washington corporation founded in 1990 that designs and manufactures Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) detection, collection, and identification instruments from an 18,000-square-foot facility in Monroe, Washington. The company's core technology spans high-efficiency air sampling and aerosol concentration (the SASS 2300/2400 wet-wall samplers, SASS 3100 dry electret-filter sampler, and SASS 4000/4100/4200 concentrators); bioaerosol and chemical detection (AnCam multi-analyte readers, BioHawk LF biodetector, T3 chemical detector, Tac-7/TacBio UV-fluorescence units); modular integrated CBRN systems (ASAP III for mailrooms, ASAP V for infrastructure, RSN remote sensor nodes, VBAD 3600 vehicle-mounted biodetection, CBRN patrol robot, and a UAV air-sampling module); and consumables/disinfectants (QuikTest assays, Spectra DF disinfectants). A patent portfolio of 50+ granted U.S. patents protects these product lines, and the SASS 3100 independently ranked #1 in the U.S. Army Edgewood CB Center's TRE 08-2 evaluation of ten competing portable sampling systems.

The company's customer base is anchored by defense and homeland-security buyers (U.S. Army, DOD, DHS, DTRA, Naval Research Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), public-health agencies (CDC and NIH), and academic research institutions (NTU Singapore / SCELSE, University of Washington, Stanford). Products are regulated under the U.S. Munitions List and subject to U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, with the company maintaining ISO 9001:2015 certification through an ANAB-accredited body. Geographic sales are restricted in sanctioned jurisdictions (Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Vietnam, Myanmar, Haiti, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan), and the export-controlled nature of the products shapes both the customer base and the go-to-market approach.

Research International makes money through a mix of hardware sales (CBRN instruments sold via direct quote-based pricing and through 25+ independent distributors across Asia, Europe, the UK, and the Middle East), contract R&D services for government agencies and universities, licensing of patented technologies (50+ patents with worldwide exclusive licenses), and customized training seminars (such as postal-processing CBRNe mail-screening seminars held in Washington, D.C.). Pricing is uniformly opaque (Request-a-Quote model with PDF responses within two business days), and the consumables business (QuikTest kits sold in sets of 25 or 10; filters and accessories) provides a recurring-revenue layer on top of the installed instrument base. Research Machine, a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies in-house CNC machining and rapid prototyping, vertically integrating manufacturing into the product development loop.

Name

Research International

Legal name

Research International, Inc.

Website

https://resrchintl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Research International is a privately held Monroe, Washington manufacturer of CBRN detection, air sampling, and integrated monitoring systems, serving defense, homeland-security, public-health, and academic customers via direct sales and 25+ international distributors under ITAR-style export controls.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CBRN Detection Equipment

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

CBRN Detection, Protection & Decontamination Systems (IMABAOAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT), CBRN & Decontamination Response (HLAJAGAI)

Keywords

• CBRN detection equipment
• Air sampling systems
• Biodetection instruments
• Aerosol concentration devices
• Integrated CBRN monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Monroe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CBRN Detection Equipment Sales: Sales of specialized CBRN detection, collection, and identification instruments including air samplers, biodetectors, chemical detectors, and integrated monitoring systems. Products range from portable handheld devices to large-scale integrated infrastructure protection systems.
2. Contract R&D Services: Contract research and development services for government agencies, universities, and commercial partners. Research International performs specialized R&D in optical sensing, micromachining, chemistry, and custom instrumentation development.
3. Licensing and Technology Transfer: Licensing of proprietary technologies and patents to partners. The company has a portfolio of over 50 patents and exclusively licensed patents worldwide.
4. Training and Seminars: Customized postal processing seminars for CBRNe mail screening, including training on ASAP III systems, threat recognition, and safety procedures. Provides assistance with logistics including interpreters and facility tours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Research International designs, manufactures, and sells CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) detection, collection, and identification instruments. Its portfolio spans high-efficiency wet and dry air samplers (SASS series), biodetectors and chemical detectors, multi-analyte assay readers, integrated mail and infrastructure protection systems, remote sensor nodes, and disinfectant products. The company also offers contract R&D services, custom instrumentation, technology licensing, and CBRNe mail-screening training seminars.

Product overview

Research International develops a comprehensive portfolio of CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) detection, collection, and identification products organized into four main categories: Collection Tools (including SASS wet and dry air samplers, particle extractors, and aerosol concentrators ranging from portable units like SASS 2300/2400 to vehicle-mount SASS 4200), Detection and Identification Tools (including AnCam multi-analyte test readers, BioHawk LF biodetector, T3 chemical detector, Tac-7 series bioaerosol detectors, QuikTest assay kits, and the D1000 downdraft table), Integrated CBRN Systems (including ASAP mail screening systems, CBRN Patrol robotic vehicle, RSN remote sensor nodes, VBAD vehicle-based detection, and Flying UAV Laboratory), and Specialty Items (including BioLink wireless communications and Spectra disinfectants). The company also provides ASAP Sentry software for centralized monitoring and plume modeling. This is a multi-product portfolio ranging from handheld detectors to large-scale integrated monitoring systems, supported by R&D services, training seminars, and manufacturing capabilities through their Research Machine subsidiary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SASS: Smart Air Sampler System - flagship line of high-efficiency air samplers including SASS 2300, SASS 2400, SASS 3100, and related products for CBRN detection
• ASAP
• QuikTest
• Spectra DF
• RAPTOR
• AnCam
• BioHawk LF
• RSN
• TacBio
• VBAD 3600

Products and services

• SASS 2300 Wet Air Sampler Wet wall air sampler that collects both particulates and water-soluble chemical vapors from the air, extracting materials into a small volume of liquid for analysis. Used by defense, public health, and research customers for bioaerosol and chemical vapor monitoring.
• SASS 2400 Low-Volume Wet Air Sampler Compact low-volume wet wall air sampler for portable air sampling applications requiring field-deployable bioaerosol and vapor collection.
• SASS 3100 Dry Air Sampler Dry air sampler using electret filters for high-efficiency particle collection, ranked top performer at U.S. Army Edgewood CB Center testing. Used for airborne pathogen surveillance and environmental monitoring.
• SASS 3010 Particle Extractor Manual extractor for processing electret filter collection media using acoustic energy to dislodge particles for downstream analysis.
• SASS 4000 Aerosol Concentrator

Quantifiable outcome

• SASS 3100 ranked #1 in U.S. Army Edgewood CB Center test comparing 10 different wet and dry portable sampling systems
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for collaborative research and development in CBRN detection technology. Research International works with universities to deliver working prototypes and commercial applications beyond proof-of-concept.
• Nanyang Technological University SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership for environmental genomics and surveillance using SASS air samplers. SCELSE team deployed 40+ SASS 3100 samplers for SARS-CoV-2 and pathogen surveillance.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity collaboration for research and development of detection technologies.
• Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing government laboratory partnership for development of advanced detection systems including Analyte 2000, FAST 6000, and UAV/UUV detection systems.
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational laboratory partnership for CBRN detection technology development and testing.
• Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. government agency partnership for defense-related CBRN detection research and development.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partnership for public health-related detection technology development.
• U.S. Army Edgewood CB CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent testing partnership where SASS 3100 ranked #1 in TRE 08-2 evaluation comparing 10 different wet and dry portable sampling systems.
• Research MachinecoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary providing model-making and custom hardware fabrication services including CNC machining, injection molding, and rapid prototyping for Research International products.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bruker Corporation: Bruker manufactures high-performance analytical instruments including mass spectrometers, MALDI Biotyper systems, and CBRN-relevant detection platforms. Comparable to Research International in analytical instrumentation technology and life-science/biodefense end markets, but operates at substantially larger scale across pharma, academic, and clinical segments.
• Smiths Detection: Smiths Detection is a leading global provider of CBRN detection, screening, and security inspection systems for aviation, ports, borders, defense, and critical infrastructure. It is a direct comparability peer in CBRN mail/airport screening (overlapping with ASAP III/V) and chemical/biological detection, but operates at far greater scale across multiple end markets.
• Honeywell Analytics (RAE Systems / Honeywell): Honeywell's gas and flame detection business (built around RAE Systems) provides portable and fixed chemical detection instruments including for CBRN-related toxic industrial chemicals. Overlaps with Research International's T3 chemical detector and CBRN air monitoring products, but is part of a much larger industrial safety portfolio.
• Teledyne FLIR (formerly FLIR Systems): Teledyne FLIR's Detection segment provides chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) detection instruments and integrated solutions for defense, homeland security, and public safety. Overlaps with Research International across CBRN sensor nodes, integrated monitoring systems, and government/military sales channels, but at significantly broader scale and product breadth.

Direct peers

• Bertin Technologies / Bertin Instruments: Bertin Instruments (part of Bertin Technologies) is a European provider of CBRN detection equipment, air samplers, and laboratory instruments for defense, homeland security, and life-science applications. Closely comparable to Research International's SASS air sampler and CBRN detection product lines, with overlapping customer segments in government, defense, and public health.
• Environics (Environics Oy): Environics is a Finnish company specializing in CBRN detection, chemical and biological agent identification, and integrated monitoring solutions for military and homeland security markets. Direct comparability in CBRN detection products and government/defense customer base, with stronger European defense market positioning.
• Avon Protection: Avon Protection (formerly Avon Rubber) designs and manufactures CBRN respiratory protection, detection equipment, and integrated protective solutions for military, law enforcement, and first responders. Direct peer in CBRN protective equipment and detection, with comparable customer base across defense and emergency response, though focused more on respiratory/head protection than air sampling.
• Air Techniques International (ATI): Air Techniques International (ATI) is a manufacturer of air sampling equipment, aerosol generators, and CBRN-related test instruments for defense, public health, and laboratory applications. Direct comparability with Research International's SASS air sampler line and aerosol concentration/concentration measurement products, serving overlapping customer segments in defense and bioaerosol research.

Others

• Battelle Memorial Institute: Battelle is a major nonprofit R&D organization that operates national laboratories and conducts CBRN research, testing, and technology development for U.S. government clients. Comparable to Research International's contract R&D services revenue stream (especially with DTRA and NRL-adjacent work), but as a much larger science and technology organization rather than a focused equipment manufacturer.

Emerging players

• FLIR Systems / 908 Devices: 908 Devices is a specialty analytical instrumentation company providing mass spectrometry-based chemical and biochemical detection devices for safety, security, and life-science applications. Comparable emerging player to Research International in portable CBRN/bioaerosol detection with overlapping defense and public-health end users, but focused on mass spectrometry rather than air sampling and immunoassay technologies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/research-international-inc.

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Research International