Wash Durability
Engineered to maintain fire-inhibiting performance through repeated machine washing via advanced crosslinking chemistry.
Textile Protection
Next-Generation Fire Protection for Textiles
Wash-durable, PFAS-free fire protection for cotton and polyester — developed at Texas A&M University, funded and commercialized by CitroTech.
The Research
Developed at Texas A&M University
CitroTex is built on research from the Polymer NanoComposites Laboratory at Texas A&M, led by Dr. Jaime Grunlan — a globally recognized leader in polymer science whose work has helped shape modern approaches to fire protection in materials science.
CitroTech has funded this 12-month research program through the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), with rights to commercialize the resulting technology. The collaboration is focused on solving a persistent gap: developing wash-durable, skin-safe textile coatings that maintain flame resistance after repeated use and laundering.
Voice of the Lab
Beyond the trade-offs of conventional flame retardancy.
Dr. Grunlan and the Polymer NanoComposites Laboratory team are bringing decades of materials-science research to bear on the practical realities of textile fire protection.
Flame retardancy has long required trade-offs between safety, durability, and practicality, particularly in textiles that are washed, worn, and exposed to the elements. 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
How CitroTex Works
CitroTex 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 intumescent shield — helping slow fire spread and insulate the material beneath.
Unlike conventional treatments, these coatings avoid chemicals of concern. The formulation is PFAS-free, VOC-free, and free from halogenated compounds — designed to stay in place over time without compromising fabric feel or adding significant weight.
- Optimized for cotton and polyester fabrics
- PFAS-free, VOC-free, halogen-free formulation
- Maintains softness, breathability, and hand feel
- Compatible with industry-standard pad-dry processing
Research Focus
Wash-Durable Protection Built to Last
The biggest challenge in textile fire protection has always been durability through repeated laundering. Dr. Grunlan's team is addressing this through advanced crosslinking strategies designed to covalently bond the treatment to the fabric substrate — creating coatings that stay effective wash after wash.
Key Advantages
Built for the Modern Textile Industry
Intumescent Shield
Expands on heat exposure to form a protective barrier that slows fire spread and insulates the fabric beneath.
Scalable Processing
Designed for pad-dry application — the industry standard for textile finishing. Drop-in compatible with existing lines.
PFAS-Free & Non-Toxic
Zero PFAS, zero VOCs, zero halogenated compounds. Water-based and free from chemicals of concern.
Target Applications
Initial Focus: High-Value Markets
Initial applications target firefighting gear and industrial textiles where durability and safety are critical, with longer-term potential across home furnishings and consumer products.
Firefighting & First Responder Gear
High-performance cotton and polyester fabrics requiring certified, wash-durable flame protection in extreme conditions.
Industrial Workwear
Uniforms and protective clothing for workers in manufacturing, energy, and construction environments.
Home Textiles & Upholstery
Drapes, curtains, furniture upholstery, and bedding for residential and commercial fire safety compliance.
Hospitality & Public Spaces
Hotels, theaters, and public venues where fire-protected textiles are required by building codes.
Commercialization
From Lab to Production Line
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.
Formulation Development
Optimizing PEC coating formulations across cotton and polyester substrates for maximum fire protection performance.
Wash Durability Optimization
Testing crosslinking and anchoring strategies to maximize treatment longevity through repeated laundering cycles.
Pilot-Scale Processing
Scaling from lab samples to pilot-scale pad-dry production — validating commercial viability with industry-standard equipment.
Commercial Licensing
CitroTech holds exclusive rights to license the technology for commercial textile applications worldwide.
Testing & Validation
Rigorously Tested. Published Results.
All formulations are tested against industry-standard fire protection benchmarks and validated through peer-reviewed publications.
Industry-Standard Fire Testing
Formulations evaluated against ASTM D6413 vertical flame test and other recognized textile fire safety benchmarks.
Wash Durability Focus
Research program specifically targets maintaining fire-inhibiting performance through repeated laundering.
PFAS-Free & VOC-Free
No PFAS, no volatile organic compounds, no halogenated chemicals of concern.
Peer-Reviewed Research
Built on published work from a lab with 300+ publications in polymer science and materials journals.
Interested in CitroTex ?
Whether you're a textile manufacturer, brand, or industry partner — we'd love to discuss how CitroTex can bring next-generation fire protection to your products.