Award highlights Australia’s first commercial fire-retardant paint

UNSW Sydney and Flame Security International (FSI) have received the Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia Award for “Best Industry-Research Collaboration” for developing and commercialising the world’s first fire-retardant paint..

The project, led by UNSW’s Professor Guan Yeoh from the School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, resulted in the creation of FIRECOAT, a paint designed to offer fire protection in high-risk areas.

The research team, backed by a $3 million Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grant from the Australian government, spent five years developing FIRECOAT.

The paint is tested to withstand bushfire conditions up to the Australian BAL-40 standard, protecting homes and structures in fire-prone regions.

FIRECOAT reaches Australian and US markets

FIRECOAT has gained market traction, now available at over 300 Bunnings stores across Australia, and is scheduled to launch in the United States through ACE Hardware in November.

The paint is designed to safeguard properties against bushfires and prevent the spread of flames.

Professor Yeoh expressed pride in his team’s accomplishments, stating: “A new paint sounds quite simple, but my extremely talented and dedicated team of scientists and engineers has been developing this first-of-its-kind technology for five years.

“I’m very proud of my team, and I am very thankful to our wonderful partners at FSI who have helped us get this potentially life-changing innovation to market.”

Proven protection against fire hazards

The FIRECOAT paint has undergone extensive testing and is proven effective in protecting buildings from ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact.

Visual comparisons show a significant difference between buildings coated with FIRECOAT and those without it, underlining the product’s defensive capabilities in high-risk fire zones.

Professor Stephen Rodda, UNSW’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry and Innovation, emphasised the importance of this achievement, saying: “FSI’s success in launching FIRECOAT, a breakthrough in fire-retardant technology, reflects the depth and strength of our collaboration.

“It’s a perfect example of how research commercialisation can deliver life-saving solutions to local and global communities.”

Future developments in eco-friendly technology

Alongside FIRECOAT, FSI is collaborating with UNSW on additional products, including a flexible solar panel membrane called ‘Solar Skin’.

This product can generate energy from direct and indirect sunlight on various surfaces, providing a versatile and environmentally friendly power source.

FSI Co-founder and CEO Tony Overstead stated that further commercialisation efforts are underway, with plans for a 2025 product launch.

Mr Overstead remarked on the partnership’s potential, saying: “We expect to commercialise more products in 2025, which will further demonstrate the enormous social, environmental and economic value of this successful industry and academia partnership.”

UNSW and Flame Security International awarded for innovative fire-retardant paint collaboration: Summary

UNSW Sydney and Flame Security International (FSI) have been recognised with the Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia Award for the “Best Industry-Research Collaboration” category.

This award celebrates the creation of FIRECOAT, a fire-retardant paint designed to withstand bushfire conditions, now available in Australian and soon-to-be in US markets.

Developed with support from a $3 million CRC-P grant, FIRECOAT offers enhanced fire protection by meeting the Australian BAL-40 standard.

UNSW and FSI continue their partnership to develop additional eco-friendly technologies, including the Solar Skin, with commercialisation expected in 2025.