Fomtec introduces Enviro NEO fluorine-free foam for high-hazard firefighting

Enviro NEO and the shift to fluorine-free foams

Fomtec has introduced Enviro NEO, a synthetic fluorine-free firefighting foam developed for use in high-hazard industries including petrochemical, oil and gas and marine applications.

The company said the product is intended for environments where consistent performance is required across different fuels, water qualities and application systems.

Enviro NEO is described as the latest outcome of Fomtec’s Enviro Programme, which the company said is based on thousands of full-scale fire tests.

The product is described as being suitable for use in demanding offshore and petrochemical settings.

Formulation, fuels and application systems

Fomtec said Enviro NEO uses 100% hydrated polymers to avoid issues associated with partially hydrated polymers and unstable viscosity.

The company said this approach is intended to support reliable proportioning and uniform foam performance from initial discharge through to extinguishment.

Enviro NEO is described as being designed for use with fresh, brackish and seawater, making it suitable for coastal, marine and offshore installations.

Fomtec Enviro 3×3 NEO is described as a sixth generation alcohol resistant synthetic fluorine-free firefighting foam concentrate with no intentionally added fluorinated surfactants and polymers (PFAS).

The product information states it is effective on both hydrocarbon and polar solvent fuel fires at a 3% concentration.

Its suppression mechanism is described as using a foam blanket to block oxygen, cooling from the foam’s water content and prevention of re-ignition on extinguished fuel surfaces.

When applied to polar solvents, the product is described as forming a polymeric membrane that enables effective extinguishment, including on foam destroying liquids such as MTBE.

Proportioning, storage and industry context

Fomtec said Fomtec Enviro 3×3 NEO contains no partially or un-hydrated polymers and is not subject to viscosity increase caused by water ingress.

The product information states a 3% proportioning ratio is intended for hydrocarbon fuels and polar solvents, with 0.3% to 1% recommended for Class A fires depending on application method and discharge device.

The foam is described as suitable for low and medium expansion use, including mobile firefighting with foam branchpipes and monitors, as well as fixed systems designed around recommended application rates and durations.

Typical data listed includes a clear yellowish liquid appearance, a specific gravity at 20°C of 1.06 plus or minus 0.02 g/ml, a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 and a freezing point of minus 14.6°C.

The recommended storage temperature is listed as minus 14 to 55°C, with shelf life in excess of 10 years stated for temperate climates when stored in original unbroken packaging.

Fluorine-free foams have become a growing focus across the fire safety sector as operators and asset owners assess the long-term environmental and operational implications of fluorinated substances in firefighting agents.

Fomtec also describes the wider Enviro by Fomtec range as non-PFAS foam concentrates intended for emergency response and system applications across Class A and Class B hazards, including low, medium and high expansion discharge devices.

Enviro NEO is described by the company as having been validated through fire testing standards including EN 1568, UL 162, ICAO, IMO and LASTFIRE.