100% bio-based fluorine free fire-fighting foams from Swedish biomass

Important results from the project

In this project, we have tested three hypotheses (related to technology, market and sustainability) for a patent-sought technology for fluorine-free bio-based firefighting liquids. After extensive studies and interaction with industry, we realize that the concept cannot be commercialized at the moment and that it needs further development to be implemented in fire extinguishers and to surpass today´s fluorine-free products in terms of performance and environmental profile. In 2023, Infiniton will develop the concept further along with new promising tracks that have emerged.

Expected long term effects

The insights gained in the project have helped us identify a number of important collaboration partners, e g in the field of fluid dynamics and biomaterials. A proposal for a joint project will be sent to the EU in the spring of 2023 with the aim of taking the concept further. Work in the project has also given Infiniton a good insight into the firefighting foam industry and the challenges existing there, which has contributed to a number of very interesting separate innovations/tools for firefighting formulation. These are now put to use at Infiniton, probably in collaboration with Fomtec.

Approach and implementation

The project was carried out via four work packages : WP1 Formulation development Here we have investigate viable synthesis routes and recipes which we then investigated further in AP2 WP2 "Cold" foam tests and fire tests Foam from formulations from AP1 was generated and evaulated "cold" and in fire tests. WP3 Market Interactions with foam and fire extinguisher manufacturers, and with raw material suppliers to assess the market potential of our concept WP4 Sustainability The sustainability of our technology relative to currently available fluorine-free technology was evaluated.