CitroTech and Hexion announced the formation of a 50/50 joint venture to deploy fire-retardant solutions for the lumber and building materials industry on April 21 2026.
The partnership combines CitroTech specialty chemical formulations with Hexion adhesive and performance material manufacturing to create built-in fire resistance for plywood and engineered wood.
The Delaware-based venture will develop CitroTech intellectual property and accelerate the sales of products to manufacturers of oriented strand board (OSB).
This technology uses a fire-retardant chemistry recognized under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safer Choice program.
Hexion has committed capital to support the commercialization of these solutions for global scale.
Testing conducted with North American wood products companies over the last year has validated the technology for commercial adoption.
Wes Bolsen, CEO of CitroTech, said: “We’re accelerating a shift away from pressure-treated wood products, which can compromise structural integrity and introduce health and environmental concerns, toward a new era of built-in fire protection.
“In the face of a growing wildfire crisis, builders, contractors, and homeowners need fundamentally better solutions.
“This is about setting a new standard for achieving the highest levels of fire protection — with a solution that soaks in to penetrate wood and lumber at the molecular level without compromising performance, enabling more resilient infrastructure at unprecedented scale.”
The joint venture aims to replace traditional borate-based inhibitors which rely on pressure treatment processes.
CitroTech formulations penetrate wood fibers at the molecular level to prevent ignition without weakening the structural integrity of the lumber.
The solutions hold UL GREENGUARD Gold certification and comply with ASTM E84 Extended standards for fire safety.
Michael Lefenfeld, President and CEO of Hexion, noted: “The wood products industry is ready for a new standard in fire protection, and Hexion is positioned to lead that shift.
“This partnership reflects a clear strategic priority: bringing differentiated, high-value technologies to the building and construction market at commercial scale.
“By combining CitroTech’s breakthrough chemistry with Hexion’s manufacturing strength, technical depth, and commercial reach, we can help customers build fire performance directly into the production process more efficiently, more reliably, and at far greater scale.”
Bolsen and Lefenfeld will serve on a three-member board to oversee the strategic direction and governance of the venture.
The partnership focuses on providing safer formulations for people and the environment while meeting strict municipal safety standards.
