BioFire

Mission

BioFire uses biotechnology to deliver safer, more sustainable flame-retardant materials for a multi-billion-euro market shifting toward higher-functionality, regulation-ready formulations.

The Problem

Fire safety still depends heavily on mineral fillers and halogen-based flame retardants. They often require high loadings, complicate processing, raise costs, and can degrade material performance. Many also come with environmental and end-of-life drawbacks. Meanwhile, regulations are tightening and manufacturers need safer, more sustainable options that still meet demanding fire standards.

State of the Art

Most commercial flame-retardant systems are either inorganic fillers or synthetic chemicals. They can work well, but are typically non-renewable, can be hygroscopic, and often compromise recyclability or end-of-life. Biobased alternatives are widely discussed in research, but very few have proven scalable, cost-viable, and compatible with industrial manufacturing.

Our Solution

BioFire develops a 100% biobased, biodegradable, non-halogen flame retardant made from bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPS contains proteins, polysaccharides, and inorganic fractions that deliver two complementary effects:

• Char formation that shields the underlying material
• Gas-phase dilution by releasing non-toxic gases during burning that locally reduces oxygen availability.

Why It Matters

• Reduces reliance on halogenated and high-loading mineral flame retardants
• Upcycles an abundant, underutilized waste stream into a high-value material
• Designed as a drop-in additive for composites and functional ingredient for coatings

What Makes It Different

• Lower effective loading (typically 15–30 wt.%) vs mineral systems (often 30–60 wt.%)
• Synergistic mechanisms: condensed-phase char + gas-phase effects
• Potential dual function: flame retardant + natural binder