BIOEX: A Leader in Fluorine-Free Foam Solutions, Identifying the Transition Away from PFAS and Equipping Firefighters with Sustainable Solutions
Contact Information:
5 chemin de Clape Loup
69280 Sainte-Consorce, France
+33 (0) 474 702 381
bio-ex.com
Fluorine-Free Foam (FFF) technology is not new for BIOEX. For over 20 years, BIOEX has been committed to offering a safe alternative to PFAS-containing foams for firefighters and industry to help them extinguish fires, save lives, and limit fire damage and losses. In 2002, BIOEX launched ECOPOL, the first class A/B efficient fluorine-free foam on the market.
Moving Away from PFAS
A global concern over the increasing health effects from the exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) has driven stricter regulations regarding the application of PFAS-containing foams such as AFFF and AR-AFFF. As a result, the fire industry must be prepared to move away from PFAS-based foams and turn to more environmentally friendly technologies, such as fluorine-free foams.
BIOEX Fluorine-Free Foam Solutions
Since 2002, BIOEX has built strong expertise in industrial fire risks and has extensive experience in fluorine-free foam research and production. BIOEX’s environmentally friendly solutions are biodegradable and do not contain fluorinated surfactants (PFAS) or any hazardous substances, ensuring no impact on the environment or human health. Some products have also obtained GreenScreen certification, the first independent ecolabel for PFAS-free firefighting foams.
The company offers a wide range of fluorine-free foams efficient against class A and class B fires, including hydrocarbon and polar solvent fires. They are certified under international standards such as EN1568, UL162, IMO, ICAO, and LASTFIRE. These foams can be applied in the same way as traditional foams and are mostly compatible with existing foam mixing and discharge equipment. FFF forms a thick and stable foam blanket that spreads rapidly above the fuel surface, suppressing oxygen supply for quick fire suppression and providing a cooling effect.
BIOEX has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of fluorine-free foams through thousands of fire tests on multiple fuels, with various application methods and equipment. These tests have proven that fluorine-free foams can achieve similar or better results than fluorinated foams.
In 2023, BIOEX expanded its expertise by launching two additional fluorine-free concentrates:
- ECOPOL 3N: A fluorine-free alternative to traditional Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) 3% certified under EN1568-3 v2018. ECOPOL 3N is effective on class B hydrocarbon fires and has a liquid viscosity typical of AFFF 3%, requiring no changes to foam proportioner equipment and settings, making the transition to Fluorine-Free Foams easier. The foam is applicable in direct and indirect applications, with a robust foam blanket that offers a long drain time, ensuring that any residual fuel does not re-ignite.
- ECOPOL 3 Premium UL Synthetic Alcohol-Resistant Fluorine-Free Foam (AR-FFF): Applicable at 3% on hydrocarbon fires and 3% polar solvent fires, as well as class A fires. This multipurpose foam is efficient on most flammable liquids and is UL 162 listed. Its low viscosity gives it a significant advantage in mixing with most foam equipment.
Turned to the Future
In a fire industry increasingly turning to fluorine-free foams, BIOEX remains committed to providing green solutions. The company maintains its own laboratory and continues to introduce new, efficient fluorine-free foam formulations to the fire-industry market. The performance of every foam BIOEX offers is always verified through small-scale and large-scale burning tests, including all testing required for certifications.
In 2020, BIOEX relocated to brand-new facilities in France with expanded capacities to meet increasing worldwide customer demand. The company constructed two separate production lines for fluorinated and non-fluorinated foam concentrates to avoid any contamination of the line with fluorine compounds.
To read the full article, see our last issue here.
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Rebecca Spayne Managing Editor, International Fire Buyer
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