PFAS-Free Forest Fire-Extinguishing Foam Made from Recycled Used Cooking Oils

PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam from Recycled Cooking Oil

GRUCOSS SAS BIC in Colombia is developing NIUFEX, a PFAS-free firefighting foam concentrate made from recycled used cooking oils for forest fire suppression. The innovation addresses two environmental challenges: the pollution caused by improper disposal of used cooking oils and the environmental persistence of conventional fluorinated firefighting foams.

Conventional AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) agents commonly rely on PFAS, a group of highly persistent chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals.” NIUFEX instead uses semi-synthetic anionic surfactants derived from recycled raw materials, particularly used cooking oils. The approach transforms a waste stream into a functional firefighting product while reducing reliance on persistent fluorinated compounds.

Fire Suppression and Circular Economy Benefits

The prototype has undergone fire-extinguishing and physicochemical testing, with satisfactory results to date. NIUFEX is designed to provide effective forest fire suppression while reducing the environmental risks associated with conventional PFAS-containing foams. By recycling used cooking oils, the solution also helps prevent waste oil from entering drainage systems and contaminating water and soil.

The technology therefore combines fire protection with circular resource use. It has particular relevance as climate change and phenomena such as El Niño contribute to increasingly severe forest fire risks. By converting a problematic waste material into a product designed to protect forests, ecosystems, and communities, the innovation offers an environmentally oriented alternative for fire suppression.

Certification and Commercialization

The project is currently at the pre-pilot stage and preparing for field testing. The next phase will focus on comprehensive quality and suppression testing, certification, and validation against the standards required for forest fire suppression before commercialization.

GRUCOSS is seeking financial support and pilot partners to complete certification testing, develop pilot projects, and advance the product toward commercial deployment. The solution is designed to be adaptable to different markets and countries, with readily available raw materials and a production approach that can be established in different locations. Successful certification and field validation would enable NIUFEX to progress toward wider international adoption.