Could new firefighting foam replacements change the market?
Iain Hoey
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Capstone withdrawal and HT&K’s response
HT&K’s Anti-Fire Group has announced the launch of HT1157, HT1157D, and HT1470 as replacements for Chemours’ discontinued Capstone fluorosurfactants, according to the company’s statement issued on 27 August 2025.
Chemours stopped supplying its Capstone fluorosurfactants to the firefighting market in early 2025, a move that disrupted foam concentrate formulation worldwide.
HT&K said its new fluorosurfactants are designed as drop-in replacements for Capstone 1157, 1157D, and 1470, allowing use without the need for recertification of existing foam concentrates.
The group confirmed that its products match the actives concentration and fluorine content of the Capstone range.
It added that opportunistic companies had marketed inferior substitutes under similar numbering, but the HT&K formulations are chemically and spectroscopically identical to the originals.
Technical specifications and comparisons
HT&K explained that comparative testing, including surface tension analysis, showed its new products behave in the same way as the discontinued Capstone materials.
It said the results demonstrate that HT1157, HT1157D, and HT1470 function as direct replacements.
Small observed differences were described as normal batch-to-batch variations typically seen within production runs from the same manufacturer.
The company noted that foam properties data are available on request and reinforce the similarity between its formulations and the Capstone products.
Market positioning and product line
According to HT&K, the new fluorosurfactants are part of a wider line of chemicals developed for firefighting foam formulators.
The company stated its aim is to provide equivalent alternatives to products from Chemguard, Chemours, and Dynax.
It said this allows formulators to continue production without requalification of concentrates.
HT&K added that its website contains further details on the replacement products and its wider portfolio.
Background on HT&K Anti-Fire Group
HT&K explained that it was established in 2010, with research and production facilities in Helon, Dongguan, and Qingyuan, China.
The company reported employing 70 staff, with its research and development team holding more than 40 international patents and over 100 years of combined experience in fluorochemicals and polymers.
It formed the Anti-Fire Group in 2019 with a dedicated focus on firefighting chemicals.
Since then, it said it has developed both fluorinated and fluorine-free foam concentrate technologies.
Future development and fluorine-free alternatives
HT&K noted that alongside fluorosurfactant replacements, it continues to develop fluorine-free firefighting foam technologies.
It said it has achieved what it described as “performance-leading” results in this field.
The company indicated that it remains active in research and development to meet changing regulatory and environmental expectations.
It stated that its goal is to establish itself as a technology leader in the firefighting chemical segment.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The discontinuation of Capstone fluorosurfactants has disrupted firefighting foam supply chains.
HT&K’s replacements offer formulators continuity by avoiding the need to recertify existing products.
The company’s development of fluorine-free alternatives aligns with wider industry moves towards reducing reliance on fluorochemicals.
This development is relevant to fire and safety professionals involved in foam specification, procurement, and compliance.
New HT&K firefighting chemicals replace discontinued Capstone products: Summary
HT&K’s Anti-Fire Group has launched HT1157, HT1157D, and HT1470 as replacements for Chemours’ discontinued Capstone fluorosurfactants.
Chemours ended supply of Capstone firefighting products in early 2025.
HT&K said its replacements match the concentration and fluorine content of the originals.
It confirmed they are drop-in substitutes that avoid the need for recertification of foam concentrates.
The company reported surface tension tests showing performance equivalence.
It stated that differences observed were consistent with normal manufacturing batch variations.
HT&K said foam property comparisons are available on request.
The replacements are part of a wider line of firefighting chemicals.
The group was formed in 2019 to focus on firefighting chemical development.
It operates from facilities in Dongguan, Helon, and Qingyuan, China.
The company said its staff hold more than 40 patents.
HT&K is also developing fluorine-free foam concentrate alternatives.
It reported that these have achieved leading performance in tests.
The replacements are available through the company’s website.
HT&K confirmed that product availability and pricing details can be requested directly.