Stability versus variability: Fomtec explores polymer performance trade-offs
Iain Hoey
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Even Ottesen, International Sales Manager, MENA Region at Fomtec, discusses polymer stability, testing validation and implications for industrial foam system reliability
In January, Fomtec exhibited at the Dubai Intersec Show for the 12th time.
The event brings together manufacturers, consultants, contractors and end users from across the Middle East and North Africa, a region with extensive petrochemical infrastructure and transport operations that rely on foam systems.
Fomtec used the exhibition to introduce Enviro 3 x 3 NEO, an alcohol resistant synthetic fluorine free foam concentrate developed through extensive testing and designed to meet international performance standards while maintaining stability over time.
Why is Dubai Intersec important to Fomtec’s marketing?
The Dubai Intersec Show is one of several exhibitions and conferences we support in the region, and it was the first we attended regularly.
The MENA region, with its large oil reserves and downstream petrochemical business, represents one of the largest markets for firefighting foam and foam systems, and the industrial sector is supported by a mature transport sector which is also a major user for firefighting foam.
Dubai has established itself as a crossroads for trade, and the Dubai Intersec Show and Saudi Intersec Show are the largest and best attended shows in the region, allowing us to promote products to end users, consultants, contractors and potential partners efficiently.
Our regional business partners all attend the Dubai Show, so we run training programmes alongside the show and set aside time for business meetings with partners.
What can you tell us about Enviro 3 x 3 NEO?
After more than three years and nearly 500 fire tests, we have brought to market an alcohol resistant SFFF with the highest ratings under EN 1568-3 and -4 with both fresh and saltwater.
Why should customers be excited about Enviro NEO?
There are products on the market with the same 1A:1A performance according to EN 1568-3 and -4, but they are based on what we call hidden gum, or partially hydrated polymers.
Enviro NEO, like all Fomtec SFFF products, is formulated with fully hydrated polymers.
Achieving the fire performance figures without using partially hydrated polymers means Enviro NEO offers performance and long term stability.
Why avoid hidden gum technology despite strong test performance?
The use of hidden gum technology leads to excellent fire performance in the test laboratory, and for some existing systems, especially mobile apparatus, pumping and proportioning equipment may have been designed to handle foam concentrates of a defined viscosity.
We believe viscosity is an engineering issue, and when the system is designed or pumping and proportioning equipment is specified, the greater viscosities found with fully hydrated polymer technology can be engineered to be effective.
When designing an effective system, a steady and known viscosity is desirable.
Variable viscosity with the foam concentrate in bulk storage, and the impact on shear and friction loss in pipe runs over time, is the real concern.
If you cannot guarantee the correct proportioning and application density of the finished foam when it is needed, this risk was considered too great to proceed with hidden gum technology.
Are there differences between laboratory approvals and field performance?
With hidden gum technology there is an inherent instability issue with the foam concentrate.
Partially hydrated polymers are held in suspension but want to hydrate and swell to their fully hydrated state.
We do not have quantifiable data addressing the impact of temperature fluctuations or evaporation cycles in relation to partially hydrated polymers.
We ran tests on competitors’ products to measure viscosity versus water ingress, and with four products tested between 15% and 40% water ingress, viscosity increased more than 300%.
The same test on Enviro NEO saw approximately a 20% reduction in viscosity.
Why launch Enviro NEO in Dubai specifically?
With the temperatures and temperature fluctuations in many countries in the MENA region, we believe the stability issues with hidden gum technology are likely to be a greater risk for end users in this region.
By launching in Dubai, we addressed an audience familiar with polymer based foams and highlighted our position on the stability of NEO and instability of hidden gum products.
How can end users identify partially hydrated polymer formulations?
Neither the technical data sheet nor the safety data sheet is required to provide data on the inclusion of partially hydrated polymers, so end users need to ask the manufacturer or supplier directly.
We demonstrated a simple method at the launch involving taking approximately 100 ml of foam concentrate, adding approximately 15 ml of water and stirring.
If the mixture becomes more viscous within a few minutes, the concentrate is hidden gum based.
What approvals and testing has Enviro NEO completed?
We have EN 1568-1 and -2 on heptane, and apart from heptane on EN 1568-3 we also tested Jet A-1 and hexane with fresh and saltwater.
We repeated all hydrocarbon fuel fires with a gentle type II application, which is not required under EN 1568-3 if you achieve a 1A rating with forceful application.
To the acetone and IPA required for EN 1568-4, we added methanol, ethanol, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetic acid and MEK.
We tested and approved to ICAO Level B on Jet A1 and completed testing required for UL 162 on heptane, acetone and IPA, and the listing went online this week.
Third party witness testing was carried out to IMO 1312 and LASTFIRE protocols on heptane and ethanol.
We are looking to add further fuels and conduct larger scale fires in the first six months of 2026.
We view NEO as an evolution of the Enviro programme.
We are achieving the highest levels of fire performance while offering stability and real world deployability when the foam is required.