Sustainable Materials Reduced Fire Heat by Half
New research projects have validated bio-based flame retardants that significantly lower heat and smoke emissions in timber and plastic.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Materials Science
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AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, has successfully tested new fire-retardant materials that cut total heat release during combustion by nearly 50% compared to traditional solutions. These research-stage formulations are designed for paints, varnishes, and timber construction.
Why it matters
The development seeks to improve building safety by slowing fire spread and reducing toxic smoke. By utilizing bio-based components, these materials provide a pathway to replace traditional, environmentally problematic brominated flame retardants.
Testing on medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels demonstrated a 46% reduction in peak heat-release rate and a 50% decrease in total heat released compared to benchmark materials. The process utilizes mechanochemistry—a method that uses mechanical force to induce chemical reactions—to minimize solvent use in manufacturing.
The players
AIMPLAS
The Plastics Technology Centre that specializes in material innovation, polymer science, and sustainability research.
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for regulatory policy and funding large-scale scientific initiatives.
The details
The research initiatives, including the PHOSFIRE and REFUGI projects, integrate bio-based and biodegradable components into paints, varnishes, and plastic substrates. Mechanochemistry is employed during synthesis to limit solvent reliance, while the resulting coatings act as protective barriers on timber structures. These formulations focus on mitigating combustion energy to improve survival times and emergency response outcomes.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The research results were detailed in published reports.
The Tech Race
The PHOSFIRE and REFUGI projects provide the experimental data required for the HEFESTOS initiative to evaluate a shift away from traditional brominated flame retardants. This research marks a critical step in aligning European construction materials with sustainable, bio-based performance standards.
These materials are currently in the research phase and not yet available in commercial building supplies. Future adoption will depend on regulatory guidance from the European Commission regarding the transition from legacy flame retardants to these sustainable alternatives.
The takeaway
The research establishes that bio-based additives can match or exceed the fire-safety performance of traditional chemicals. Interested parties should watch the future regulatory decisions guided by the HEFESTOS project to see if these materials move toward commercial standard adoption.
Further reading
For more developments in sustainable chemical engineering, explore the latest research in Materials Science.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZoM.
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