CitroTech (NYSE AM: CITR), a specialty chemical company focused on developing environmentally responsible fire-retardant technologies, has announced a strategic partnership with Global Fireproof Solutions (GFS), a recognized provider of fire protection treatments and code-compliant fire performance solutions. The collaboration is designed to expand the availability of CitroTech’s non-toxic fire inhibitor across a wider range of customers, geographic markets and applications.
Through the partnership, GFS will integrate CitroTech’s fire inhibitor into its existing treatment capabilities and explore additional applications in agricultural, equestrian, livestock and outdoor environments. The companies believe the collaboration can help address the growing need for effective fire protection in settings where safeguarding people, animals, buildings and valuable property is a priority.
GFS has established its business around fire-retardant treatments for wood products and specialty materials. The company serves customers throughout the Southeast while supporting projects across the United States. Its experience in fire protection treatments and fire-performance requirements provides a platform for introducing CitroTech’s technology to industries and applications that may benefit from alternatives to conventional fire-retardant chemistries.
The new partnership will place particular emphasis on rural and agricultural environments. Farms, barns, equine facilities, livestock operations, outdoor structures and other rural properties can face significant fire risks while also presenting unique requirements for materials used around people and animals. By combining GFS’s treatment expertise with CitroTech’s formulation, the companies aim to provide fire protection solutions designed for these demanding environments.
“For decades, GFS has built a reputation for innovation in fire protection treatments and code-compliant fire performance,” said Kevin Schaff, Global Head of Business Development at CitroTech. “CitroTech’s non-toxic inhibitor extends GFS’s commitment to technical expertise into the farms, barns, equine facilities and outdoor structures that rural and agricultural communities depend on.”
A central component of the partnership is CitroTech’s fire inhibitor, which the company says offers an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional fire-retardant treatments. According to CitroTech, its long-term fire-retardant technology is recognized under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice program and is the first of its type to meet the program’s Clean Water Act standards. The product is also UL GREENGUARD Gold certified and has successfully completed ASTM E84 Extended testing.
CitroTech’s technology is designed to provide fire protection while addressing concerns associated with certain conventional chemical treatments. Traditional pressure-treated lumber can rely on chemicals such as borates, which may affect wood fibers and material performance under certain conditions. In contrast, CitroTech says its citric acid-derived formulation is engineered to penetrate wood at the molecular level.
The company’s approach is intended to help prevent ignition while maintaining the strength and performance characteristics of treated materials. This could be particularly valuable in agricultural and rural settings, where structures may include barns, animal housing, storage buildings, fencing, decks, outdoor structures and other wood-based applications.
The companies also emphasize the environmental profile of the technology. CitroTech describes its inhibitor as a biodegradable, heavy-metal-free alternative to legacy fire-retardant chemistries. Such characteristics may be increasingly important for property owners and operators seeking fire protection options that align with environmental considerations while still meeting performance requirements.
“At Global Fireproof Solutions, our mission has always been protecting people, structures and communities through advanced fire protection systems,” said Chris Birchfield, CEO of Global Fireproof Solutions. “CitroTech’s EPA Safer Choice-recognized formulation is a biodegradable, heavy-metal-free alternative to legacy fire-retardant chemistries, a technology we’re proud to bring to agricultural, equestrian and outdoor environments where high-performance fire protection is increasingly important.”
The partnership also follows the completion of CitroTech’s certified partner training program by GFS. As part of the training, GFS personnel participated in hands-on testing and spraying of CitroTech’s product. The training is intended to ensure that certified partners understand the product, its application process and the technical considerations involved in delivering fire-protection treatments.
For GFS, the certification creates an opportunity to add a new technology to its existing portfolio while extending its reach into applications where demand for modern fire protection is increasing. For CitroTech, the partnership represents another step in its strategy of developing a nationwide network of Certified Partners capable of deploying its fire-retardant solutions in the field.
The companies see agricultural and outdoor applications as an important area for future growth. Farms and livestock operations often contain structures and equipment that can be vulnerable to rapidly spreading fires. Barns and equine facilities can also contain valuable animals, feed, equipment and materials, making prevention and fire-risk reduction important considerations for property owners.
Outdoor structures present another potential market. Wood structures exposed to environmental conditions can require specialized protection, particularly in regions where fire risk is a concern. By combining GFS’s experience in specialty treatments with CitroTech’s formulation, the partnership could open opportunities for applications beyond traditional building materials.
The collaboration comes as demand grows for fire-retardant products that combine strong performance with environmental and health considerations. Building owners, agricultural operators, contractors and other customers are increasingly evaluating the chemical composition, durability and environmental impact of products used in their facilities. CitroTech and GFS believe their partnership can respond to these changing expectations.
CitroTech continues to expand its network of Certified Partners across the United States. The company says these partnerships are helping bring environmentally responsible fire protection technologies to new markets and applications. Working with experienced fire-protection companies allows CitroTech to expand its reach while continuing to focus on product development and performance.
The agreement with Global Fireproof Solutions is therefore positioned as more than a conventional supplier relationship. It combines CitroTech’s specialty chemical technology with GFS’s market knowledge, treatment experience and customer relationships. Together, the companies intend to make non-toxic fire protection more accessible to agricultural, equestrian, livestock and outdoor markets.
As fire risks continue to influence decisions involving rural properties, agricultural infrastructure and specialty wood applications, the need for effective and responsible fire-retardant technologies is expected to remain important. Through their strategic partnership, CitroTech and GFS aim to provide customers with another option for protecting structures and property while reducing reliance on traditional fire-retardant chemistries.
The companies expect the collaboration to support broader adoption of CitroTech’s technology across the Southeast and other U.S. markets, while creating opportunities for additional applications in the future. By combining performance, environmental considerations and specialized treatment expertise, the partnership seeks to advance a new generation of fire protection solutions for communities, businesses, farms and outdoor facilities.
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