Trelleborg launches next generation fire-resistant material

Trelleborg’s offshore operation has launched its next-generation fire-resistant material for the oil and gas industry.

The newly developed Firestop material is thinner and lighter than any current passive fire protection materials available to the market, according to Trelleborg.

Ben Erik Jansen, Business Development director with Trelleborg’s offshore operation based in Norway states: “For decades Trelleborg has supplied the oil and gas market with fire protection solutions based on our Firestop technology, a rubber-based compound that can withstand severe fire scenarios.

“We developed the next-generation Firestop material at our in-house laboratory in Norway. Based on proven technology, the material is lighter and thinner than our first generation material. The newly formulated compound enables us to reduce both costs and lead time for our customers. Since the new material can easily be molded and extruded in all shapes and profiles, we intend to identify new applications for the material in other markets.”

In addition to developing the new material, an internal investment program was initiated to test and certify all existing Firestop applications for the next generation Firestop material.

Firestop is a passive fire protection material used to protect personnel and equipment by minimising fire escalation. This provides time to evacuate people, close down critical equipment and for responders to gain control of a fire. The certified rubber-based material protects structures from exceeding critical temperature limits. The dampening, noise reducing flexible nature of Firestop can also protect equipment from vibrations, collisions and explosions.