BIOEX Pioneers in fluorine-free foams

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 to help them extinguish fires, save lives, 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 Perand Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). As a result, regulations are becoming increasingly restrictive regarding the application of PFAS-containing foams (such as AFFF and AR-AFFF). 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.

Since 2002, BIOEX has built strong expertise of industrial fire risks and has experience in fluorine-free foam research and production.

BIOEX environmentally friendly solutions are biodegradable. They do not contain fluorinated surfactants (PFAS) or any hazardous substances. Additionally, they have no impact on the environment and human health. Some products have also obtained GreenScreen certification; the first independent ecolabel for PFASfree 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, LASTFIRE…). These foams can apply in the same way as traditional foams and are mostly compatible with foam mixing and discharge equipment. FFF forms a thick and stable foam blanket, which spreads rapidly above the fuel surface. This foam blanket suppresses oxygen supply, resulting in quick fire suppression and has a cooling effect.

BIOEX was able to decisively persuade many customers (fire departments, oil companies, chemical industries…) with thousands of fire tests on multiple fuels, with different application methods and equipment; proving that fluorine-free foams can achieve similar or better results than fluorinated foams.

BIOEX recently stretched its expertise by launching 2 additional fluorine-free concentrates in 2023:

• ECOPOL 3N: a fluorine-free alternative to traditional Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) 3% certified EN1568-3 v2018.

ECOPOL 3N is efficient on class B hydrocarbon fires. Its viscosity is liquid, typical of AFFF 3%, inducing no change on foam proportioner equipment and settings. It makes the transition to Fluorine-Free Foams easier.

The firefighting foam is applicable on direct and indirect applications, avoiding foam blanket contamination by the fuel fire. ECOPOL 3N robust foam blanket offers a long drain time to stay durably to ensure that any residual fuel does not re-ignite.

• ECOPOL 3 Premium UL Synthetic Alcohol-Resistant Fluorine-Free Foam (AR-FFF) is applicable at 3% on hydrocarbon fire, 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. This pseudoplastic foam has low viscosity, giving a significant advantage to make it easy to mix with most of foam equipment.

The transition must be considered a global project with crucial phases in the process. Fire services must check fluorine-free foam properties and ensure that they meet the latest standard requirements. Then, it is necessary to check its compatibility with their foam equipment, especially with proportioning and discharge devices.

BIOEX also recommends thoroughly cleaning the foam tanks before refilling. The old foam and any rinsing water must be disposed of properly. Afterward, firefighters can assess their whole installation to check that it is working properly, and train with the new foam to master application techniques and firefighting tactics.

BIOEX adapts transition protocols to each customer’s case, installations and local regulations. BIOEX has supported numerous successful transitions to FFF throughout the world.

In a fire industry that has been increasingly turning to fluorine-free foams, BIOEX remains committed to providing green solutions. The company maintains its own laboratory and continues to bring new efficient fluorine-free foam formulations to the fire-industry market. The performance of every foam that BIOEX offers are always verified at small-scale and large-scale burning test facilities, including all testing performed for certifications.

In 2020, BIOEX relocated into brandnew facilities in France with extended capacities. This expansion was essential to meet increasing worldwide customer demand. The company opted for the construction of two separate production lines for fluorinated and non-fluorinated foam concentrates to avoid any contamination of the line with fluorine compounds.

NEW FLUORINE-FREE FOAM TECHNOLOGY

CHOOSE 3N !

3N

NEW 3% CLASS B FLUORINE-FREE FOAM (FFF)

• Liquid foam, easy to mix, without viscosity issue

• Highly performant to extinguish hydrocarbon fires at 3% and long burnback resistance with a stable foam blanket

• Direct and gentle application

• EN1568-3 certified

• PFAS-free, siloxane-free and biodegradable

• Compatible with fresh and salt water

HAS 20+ YEARS EXPERIENCE IN EFFICIENT

FLUORINE-FREE FOAM DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING