How BioFire Works

Flame retardant mechanism, material properties, and tuning options

Uncoated
Coated with synthetic flame retardant
Coated with BioFire (achieves flame retardancy through charring)

Test subject: cork
Flame application time: 10 seconds (applied equally to each sample)
Cork is widely used in construction and transport industries as insulation material

Uncoated
Coated with synthetic flame retardant
Coated with BioFire (prevents dripping and maintains structure)

Test subject: PET foam
Flame application time: 10 seconds (applied equally to each sample)
PET is widely used in construction and transport industries as insulation material

Overview

BioFire is a functional biopolymer extracted from wastewater biomass (bacterial extracellular polymeric substances, EPS) and processed into a flame-retardant ingredient for polymer systems. It is designed to integrate into formulations with minimal disruption while delivering multi-mechanism fire protection.

Flame-Retardant Mechanism

BioFire works through complementary effects:

  • Condensed-phase protection forms a stabilizing char layer that insulates and slows heat and mass transfer.
  • Gas-phase dilution: releases non-toxic gases during thermal decomposition that reduce local oxygen availability and flame intensity.
  • Synergy from composition: proteins, polysaccharides, and inorganic fractions contribute to the combined response.

Material Properties

  • Bio-based, carbon-rich polymeric material
  • Thermally reactive with strong char-forming behavior
  • Compatible with thermoset systems and composite formulations
  • Designed to balance fire performance with processability

Product Formats & Tuning

Product formats and tuning capabilities:

  • Dry powder for compounding and solid formulations
  • Aqueous dispersion for coatings and water-based systems
  • Extraction & processing conditions (composition and functionality)
  • Formulation strategy & loading (fire rating targets vs. property retention)
  • Rheology and dispersion control for different manufacturing routes

Development Approach

Fire performance must be validated in the final product and use case. We co-develop formulations with partners (you) and test against the relevant standards for the target market.

Get More Details

Interested in learning more about our material specifications?

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