HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 27, 2025--
As wildfires grow more intense and destructive, NanoTech Materials, Inc. is introducing Wildfire Shield, a non-toxic, high-temperature resistant thermal coating that withstands temperatures up to 1,800°C (3,272°F) to protect critical wooden infrastructure from fire. Designed to protect wood timber lagging, the primary building product in retaining walls, highway bridges, and other exposed wooden structures, Wildfire Shield protects critical outdoor wooden infrastructure from becoming fuel for wildfires—buying time for emergency response and evacuation.
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Already deployed on highway projects for the California Department of Transportation, the largest DOT in the nation, Wildfire Shield has demonstrated its ability to fortify timber lagging shoring systems. While timber is favored for its low cost and quick installation, its vulnerability to wildfire damage forces agencies into frequent and expensive replacements. Wildfire Shield treated structures enable the continued use of wood timber lagging in critical DOT infrastructure projects while keeping vital infrastructure standing when fires hit.
“Departments of Transportation (DOTs), municipalities, and utilities are facing growing pressures to safeguard roads, bridges, and power infrastructure against fires,” said Mike Francis, CEO of NanoTech Materials, Inc. “Traditional solutions like concrete are costly and slow to install, while untreated wood remains highly flammable. Wildfire Shield provides a cost-effective, scalable alternative—preserving the affordability and rapid deployment of timber while reinforcing it with proven fire resistance.”
CalTrans is one of several DOTs migrating towards soldier pile wood timber lagging construction materials and methods to expedite construction schedules for emergency projects. This approach was implemented to shore up earth along California highways impacted by wildfires. To date, NanoTech Wildfire Shield has been successfully applied to thousands of feet of California Highway retention walls, enhancing the fire protection of California highway infrastructure.
“Intumescents and other traditional fire coatings protect by charring and expansion when they come into contact with open flame. While this charring process insulates against the heat, protecting the underlying wood, the process releases toxic chemicals into the air. These chemicals add to the toxicity of the smoke, endangering our first responders and those fleeing an active fire. During the time it takes for these coatings to reach their working temperature, heat can penetrate and ignite the wood underneath before the protective process even begins,” said Troy Marshall, VP of Fire, NanoTech Materials, Inc. “Wildfire Shield is different—it works immediately at any temperature, releasing no toxic chemicals into the atmosphere during an active fire situation and withstanding longer and hotter temperatures than current solutions. Wildfire Shield ensures real-world resilience for infrastructure that can’t afford to fail.”
NanoTech Materials is launching the Wildfire Shield Product through a nationwide applicator program, a playbook with which the company has had success in the rapid deployment of its thermal coatings lines. This nationwide initiative partners with national coating applicators, heavy construction, and bridge and highway contractors to deploy Wildfire Shield across critical open-air wooden infrastructure in high-risk fire zones. The program already boasts some heavy hitters in national coatings application and heavy construction, including Universal Coatings, GR Sunberg, Valentine Corp., and Idaho Coatings.
About NanoTech Materials, Inc.
NanoTech Materials, Inc. revolutionizes heat control by integrating its breakthrough Insulative Ceramic Particle into building materials, coatings, and substrates, enhancing heat conservation, rejection, and containment. Its first-to-market product, NanoTech Cool Roof Coat, redefines building thermal efficiency by reducing cooling energy consumption, carbon emissions, and costs. NanoTech offers heat-rejecting roof coatings, fire-resistant coatings for wildfire protection, and specialized coatings for industrial heat control.
Discover more atwww.nanotechmaterials.com
WildFire Shield Coat - protecting critical open-air wooden infrastructure from wildfires (Photo: NanoTech Materials, inc.)
