Thursday, April 23, 2026
In a bold move to reshape the wood products industry, CitroTech Inc. and Hexion Inc. have announced a groundbreaking 50/50 joint venture aimed at advancing the next generation of fire-protected wood materials. This strategic partnership is set to redefine how fire protection is incorporated into wood products, offering both sustainable and highly effective solutions for the construction industry.
The collaboration combines CitroTech’s patented fire-retardant chemistry, which is the only formulation recognized under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Choice program, with Hexion’s extensive experience in wood product manufacturing and its strong industry relationships. This union creates a powerful synergy, positioning the venture to make a significant impact on both commercial and residential construction by making fire-resistant wood products more accessible and scalable.
A Solution for Safer, More Sustainable Building Materials
CitroTech’s innovative fire-retardant technology is designed to address the shortcomings of traditional borate-based inhibitors, which often rely on pressure treatment that can compromise wood’s structural integrity. The new solutions, however, penetrate wood fibers at the molecular level, offering long-lasting fire protection without weakening the material. This breakthrough approach helps protect critical infrastructure during emergencies, including the growing threat of wildfires, and ensures safer, more sustainable construction practices.
According to CitroTech CEO Wes Bolsen, “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—without compromising performance.”
Meeting the Industry’s Need for Sustainable, Safe Materials
Hexion brings its deep technical expertise and capacity for scaling complex technologies to the joint venture. By leveraging its established relationships within the industry and its manufacturing strength, Hexion aims to lead the charge in bringing this new fire-retardant solution to the market at commercial scale.
“This partnership reflects a clear strategic priority: bringing differentiated, high-value technologies to the building and construction market at commercial scale,” said Michael Lefenfeld, President and CEO of Hexion. “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, reliably, and at far greater scale.”
Addressing the Growing Demand for Fire Safety in Construction
The joint venture’s goal is not just to create safer fire protection solutions but to make these products available at a scale that meets the growing demand in the construction industry. With wildfire threats increasing and building codes becoming more stringent, the need for fire-retardant materials in residential and commercial construction is stronger than ever.
As the only fire-inhibitor technology to receive EPA Safer Choice recognition, CitroTech’s solution offers a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to existing treatments. The technology is also backed by rigorous third-party testing, including UL GREENGUARD Gold certification and ASTM E84 Extended compliance, making it a reliable choice for manufacturers looking to meet increasingly strict safety and environmental standards.
Expanding Global Reach for Fire-Protected Wood Solutions
The Delaware-based joint venture will focus on expanding CitroTech’s intellectual property, driving the commercialization and scale-up of the technology across the global market. With Hexion’s commitment of capital to support commercialization, the partnership is poised to raise the industry standard for fire protection in wood products, offering manufacturers a cost-effective, safer, and more sustainable alternative to traditional treatments.
The formation of this venture marks a significant milestone in the wood products industry, with both CitroTech and Hexion poised to lead the charge in revolutionizing fire protection. As they prepare to secure major wood product companies as their first commercial customers, the venture’s success will undoubtedly help pave the way for a new era of safer, fire-resistant materials in construction.
Looking Toward the Future of Fire Protection in Wood Products
In an era where fire safety is a critical concern, especially in the face of growing wildfire risks, the CitroTech-Hexion joint venture is setting the stage for an entirely new approach to fire protection in wood products. This partnership not only promises to deliver safer, more sustainable building materials but also to provide solutions that will enable manufacturers to meet the pressing demands of modern construction.
As both companies continue to innovate, the next generation of fire-protected wood products will play a crucial role in making buildings safer, more resilient, and better equipped to handle the challenges posed by fires and natural disasters. With this joint venture, CitroTech and Hexion are leading the way to a more sustainable and fire-safe future for the building industry.
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Tags: CitroTech, engineered wood products, EPA Safer Choice, fire-protected wood products, fire-retardant solutions, Hexion, sustainable construction
