Conquering chemical challenges with Dafo Vehicle
Iain Hoey
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Anders Gulliksson, Product Manager at Dafo Vehicle, discusses the development and environmental impact of their new fluorine-free suppression agent, Forrex EVO
The environmental impact of fire suppression agents has increasingly come under scrutiny, prompting Dafo Vehicle to take proactive measures.
The development of Forrex EVO was primarily driven by the necessity to create a suppression solution that aligns with stringent environmental standards.
Dafo Vehicle recognised the urgency of this initiative due to ongoing debates and legislative efforts aimed at eliminating fluorine and PFAS from firefighting foams.
“Developing an environmentally friendly suppression solution was the main driver behind the creation of Forrex EVO,” tells Anders Gulliksson, Product Manager at Dafo Vehicle.
This push for fluorine-free alternatives was not unprecedented as several countries, including Australia, have already banned fluorine-based foams.
In anticipation of broader regulatory changes, Dafo Vehicle began the development of a fluorine-free product that could fulfil future market requirements and the needs of its customers.
Overcoming technical hurdles
The development of Forrex EVO presented several technical challenges, particularly in the effort to remove fluorine while maintaining the effectiveness of the suppression agent.
Fluorine’s properties make it an ideal component in firefighting foams due to its long-term stability and resistance to heat, ensuring it does not burn away easily.
“A main challenge for the Dafo Vehicle R&D team was finding a replacement property that would mimic the effective performance of fluorine,” says Gulliksson.
This task was complicated by the need to maintain the high standards of fire suppression that fluorine-based foams provide.
Recent advancements in chemistry have significantly accelerated the development of fluorine-free alternatives.
Gulliksson notes: “Development of fluorine-free alternatives has significantly improved in the last couple of years, with speed of development increasing, compared to five years ago.”
This progress has been facilitated by evolving chemical formulations that effectively substitute fluorine, matching its performance in firefighting applications.
Regulatory influence
Upcoming regulations from entities such as the UN and the European Chemical Agency have played a pivotal role in shaping the R&D strategy for Forrex EVO.
The heightened focus on fluorine-free foams has significantly raised awareness about the need for environmentally friendly solutions within the industry.
Gulliksson explains: “The upcoming regulations and debates on fluorine-free foams have increased the awareness for environmentally friendly solutions among our customers and the industry as a whole.”
This growing awareness has driven Dafo Vehicle to accelerate its development processes, ensuring they stay ahead of regulatory timelines.
By expediting their R&D efforts, Dafo Vehicle has positioned itself to support its customers in meeting new environmental standards.
Gulliksson adds: “Speeding up our development process, we have been able to get ahead of the game and help our customers meet their requirements and phase out older fluorine-contained foams before the upcoming regulations are implemented.”
This proactive approach aids in regulatory compliance and demonstrates Dafo’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in fire safety technology.
Performance metrics and environmental benefits
The transition from Forrex to Forrex EVO has been a meticulous process aimed at maintaining high performance standards.
According to Gulliksson: “Forrex EVO has been developed to meet the same performance level as the previous Forrex agent.”
While the two agents exhibit different behaviours in certain aspects, their effectiveness in extinguishing various types of fires in vehicle environments remains comparable.
In terms of environmental benefits, the shift to a fluorine-free agent like Forrex EVO represents a significant advancement.
Gulliksson explains: “Fluorine and PFAS are stable properties, which have a long life and although they are considered more or less okay, we do not know the impact of them in 50 years.”
By eliminating these substances and phasing out older suppression solutions, Dafo Vehicle aims to foster a safer environment.
Future innovations
Dafo remains committed to continuous innovation in the realm of environmentally friendly fire suppression technologies.
As Gulliksson notes, “There is always room for further development and innovation.
“Even though we have an environmentally friendly fire-fighting solution for our customers, it is important to continually develop our products in order to enhance them where possible.”
Part of Dafo Vehicle’s strategy involves staying engaged in industry discussions to anticipate future developments and proactively improve their solutions.
Gulliksson emphasises the importance of this proactive approach: “Being present in conversations in the industry is also important in order to predict future legislative changes and make improvements to our solutions and meet the required environmental standards of our customers.”
Looking ahead, Gulliksson says that Dafo plans to extend their innovation beyond fluorine-free foams.
“The next logical step would be to look at other agents that contain fluorine, not just foams, such as gases that are used for special applications,” says Gulliksson.
This forward-thinking approach ensures that Dafo Vehicle will continue to lead in the development of sustainable and effective fire suppression technologies.
About Dafo Vehicle
First established in the fire suppression industry in 1919, Dafo Vehicle has developed integrated fire suppression solutions for vehicles since 1976, before transitioning to become Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection in 2018.
Based in Sweden, Dafo provides vehicle fire suppression worldwide, specialising in high-risk industries such as, mining, ports, energy storage, forestry, bus & coaches and more.
Dafo Vehicle is leading the change to ensure proper fire safety in vehicles, ahead of legislation.
As industries change, the company is looking to the future, and sharing its knowledge to minimise the risks to health and safety as new electric vehicles and autonomous machinery continue to develop.
