Zero PFAS. Zero fluorochemicals

Most Class B firefighting foams have historically relied on fluorochemical surfactants to deliver fast spreading and effective fire suppression. 

While effective, these chemicals are a major source of PFAS - widely known as “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment, contaminate groundwater, and are extremely difficult to break down.

PFAS contamination linked to firefighting foam use has become a significant global issue, particularly at airports, defence sites, training grounds and industrial facilities. 

High-profile contamination cases in Australia, including Katherine in the Northern Territory and Williamtown in NSW, highlight the long-term environmental and community impact.

The technology delivers strong spreading performance without relying on fluorochemicals and has been tested against recognised firefighting foam standards, including UK DEF STAN 42-40/2 for Class B liquids. 

Independent flame testing at the University of New South Wales has also shown performance comparable to and in some cases better than, traditional fluorochemical-based foams.

AWT’s fluorine-free foam technology is already being used commercially in Australian fire extinguishers and is believed to be among the only fully fluorine-free firefighting foam technologies manufactured and used in Australia.

PFAS-containing fire-fighting foams are used for extinguishing liquid fires such as fires in oil, jet fuel, other non-water-soluble hydrocarbons, alcohols and acetone. 

Although relatively small quantities of PFAS are used in fire-fighting foams (class B for extinguishing Flammable liquid fires), these foams are an important use category because the foams and the chemicals they contain are released directly  into the environment. Reference - "Gluge et al 2020"