CitroTech Partners With Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station to Advance Safer, High-Performance Fire-Resistant Textiles

Key Terms

water-based polymer technologies technical

Water-based polymer technologies are materials and manufacturing methods that use polymers suspended or dissolved in water instead of solvent chemicals to make products like paints, coatings, adhesives and films. Think of them as “water-mixed” paints or glues that reduce harmful fumes and cleanup needs while delivering similar performance. Investors care because they often lower regulatory and environmental risk, meet consumer demand for greener products, and can affect production costs, pricing power and market share.

polymer science technical

Polymer science is the study and design of large, chain-like molecules—think of long strings of repeating building blocks, like a train made of many identical cars—that make up plastics, rubbers, coatings and many modern materials. For investors it matters because advances or setbacks in polymer chemistry can change product performance, manufacturing costs, regulatory compliance and sustainability profiles, influencing market demand, competitive advantage and long-term value for companies that make or use these materials.

flame retardancy technical

Flame retardancy is the property of a material or product that slows the start and spread of fire, giving people more time to react and reducing damage—think of it like a built‑in slow-down mechanism for flames. Investors care because flame‑retardant materials affect regulatory approval, product liability, manufacturing costs, and market demand; meeting safety standards can protect sales and brand value while failures can lead to recalls, fines, or reputational harm.

PFAS regulatory

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used in many everyday products, such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and food packaging, because they resist heat, water, and grease. They are often called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body, potentially leading to health concerns. For investors, the presence of PFAS-related risks can impact companies’ reputations, legal liabilities, and future costs.

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) regulatory

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature and become gases released from sources like paints, solvents, fuels, and many consumer or industrial products—think of the smell when paint dries or gasoline fumes. They matter to investors because VOCs are subject to health and environmental regulations and can lead to cleanup costs, product limits, liability claims or bad publicity, all of which can increase expenses and hurt sales or valuation.

Collaboration aims to bring wash-durable, water-based polymer technology from lab to real-world use, expanding fire protection across critical applications

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CitroTech Inc. (NYSE AM: CITR), a leading specialty chemicals company producing environmentally responsible fire inhibitor solutions, and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the official research agency of the Texas A&M University College of Engineering, today announced a 12-month research partnership to develop next-generation, water-based polymer technologies for fire-resistant textiles.

Researchers at Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) conduct research on fire-resistant textiles.

Launched on March 1, the collaboration is focused on addressing a persistent gap in fire-resistant materials: developing wash-durable, skin-safe textile coatings that maintain flame resistance even after repeated use and laundering—an area where conventional solutions often fall short. Initial applications are expected in firefighting gear and industrial textiles, where durability and safety are critical, with longer-term potential across home furnishings and consumer products.

“CitroTech has built its reputation on delivering fire resilience in some of the most demanding environments, from construction materials and utility infrastructure to roadside and vegetation management,” said Andrew Hotsko, Chief Operating Officer at CitroTech. “This partnership is about extending that foundation into textiles, working alongside the foremost minds in polymer science to introduce a new class of environmentally safe, fire-resistant solutions. We’re taking chemistry proven at scale and applying it to a category that has seen limited innovation, with the goal of protecting people more directly in the environments where they live and work.”

Essential to this partnership is the combination of CitroTech’s patented portfolio of fire-inhibitor chemistries and the expertise of Dr. Jaime Grunlan, a globally recognized leader in polymer science whose research has helped shape modern approaches to flame retardancy. Together, CitroTech and Texas A&M researchers are accelerating the transition from academic discovery to real-world application, addressing longstanding challenges around durability, performance, and chemical safety.

“Flame retardancy has long required trade-offs between safety, durability, and practicality, particularly in textiles that are washed, worn, and exposed to the elements,” said Dr. Grunlan. “What makes this work meaningful is the ability to move beyond those limitations. We’re moving toward solutions that can perform consistently outside the lab and at scale, which is ultimately what’s needed to better protect homes, first responders, and the communities they serve.”

The technology under development uses water-based polymers that form a thin, durable layer on fabric. When exposed to heat or flame, that layer reacts by expanding and forming a protective shield, helping slow fire spread and insulate the material beneath. Unlike many conventional treatments, these coatings are designed to stay in place over time and avoid the use of chemicals of concern, including PFAS and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

As part of the initiative, CitroTech is funding dedicated research at TEES, including graduate-level work and advanced testing, creating a direct pipeline from early-stage research to product development. The collaboration reflects a broader strategic focus on expanding CitroTech’s portfolio through investment in cleaner, high-performance technologies that address evolving fire risks.

“This partnership exemplifies TEES’s mission to connect leading research with industry to solve complex, real-world challenges,” said Dr. Robert H. Bishop, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Texas A&M Engineering. “We’re building a blueprint for the future of safer, more effective fire-resistant materials, with far-reaching implications not only for individual safety, but for the resilience of the communities and systems we depend on.”

CitroTech will further support industry collaboration as a lead sponsor of the upcoming Fire and Polymer Workshop in San Diego, where researchers and industry leaders will convene to advance next-generation approaches to flame retardancy and material safety.

About CitroTech Inc.

CitroTech Inc. (NYSE AM: CITR) is manufacturing and deploying the CitroTech family of innovative, environmentally safe fire prevention solutions for homes, wood products, and wildfire prevention and asset protection. CitroTech is the only long-term fire inhibitor recognized by the EPA Safer Choice program and tested to UL Greenguard Gold standards, providing effective and scientifically validated wildfire mitigation while safeguarding human and environmental health. The company’s growing patent portfolio, recurring-revenue model, and scalable approach support its long-term growth and market expansion. For more information, visit www.citrotech.com.

About Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is the official research agency for Texas A&M Engineering and is pivotal in advancing interdisciplinary research across The Texas A&M University System. TEES is dedicated to addressing complex challenges through applied engineering research, managing research grants and contracts and actively fostering partnerships with industry, government and academia, benefiting Texas A&M Engineering faculty and researchers. Technology transition efforts in TEES help move research from the lab to industry and consumers. Additionally, TEES enhances engineering expertise through workforce development by training professionals in emerging fields and engaging educators and students to inspire future engineers.

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Source: CitroTech Inc.