Fire retardancy: Kaumera Examined in Fire Safety Research
In a recent interview, Laura Dohmen — a recent graduate from TU Eindhoven — shared insights from her thesis project focused on the fire safety of biobased coatings. The central question: can materials like Kaumera be not only sustainable, but also sufficiently fire-retardant for use in construction? The research delivered encouraging results and valuable input for future product development.
From Academic Project to Industry Collaboration
Laura's interest in fire safety developed during her master’s in Building Physics & Services at TU Eindhoven. Although only a small part of the program, she saw fire safety as an essential yet underrepresented topic. Combined with her passion for biobased materials — due to their positive environmental impact — she formulated a research question at the crossroads of sustainability and safety.
Through a professional connection, Laura quickly got in touch with Kaumera Sales & Services. Within a week, she had access to the necessary materials and began working in collaboration with testing and consultancy firm Peutz. This direct partnership gave her access to a professional lab environment and hands-on experience — a major benefit of the project.
Research Approach: Comparing Kaumera with Other Biobased Coatings
The research evaluated several biobased coatings, including Kaumera, mycelium, and a fungal-based wood protectant. These were applied to wooden façade panels and tested for fire behavior using two methods:
- Radiant heat exposure (long-term heat resistance)
- Direct flame exposure (ignition and flame spread)
Results showed that all tested coatings improved fire performance compared to untreated wood. Kaumera and the fungal-based black coating performed similarly, with a clear delay in flame formation. Mycelium produced more varied results: it generated higher temperatures but left behind a protective char layer after burning.
In several Kaumera tests, a self-extinguishing effect was observed: flames didn’t spread and gradually died out.
While the coatings were compared under the same test conditions, they are not directly interchangeable. The materials serve different purposes: Kaumera is being developed as a versatile biopolymer, while the fungal coating is focused specifically on wood protection. The results are therefore useful for assessing fire behavior, but don't fully determine practical suitability.
Line burner test
Opportunities for Improvement and Practical Considerations
Kaumera delivered promising results, but as a coating, it does not yet meet all the requirements for fire class B — the standard for many construction applications. Further development is underway, both for this and for lower fire classes, often in combination with other materials. Kaumera is also being tested for non-construction applications where different safety standards apply.
The research provided several practical insights:
- Two coating layers already deliver a significant fire-retardant effect
- Application method matters: While hand brushing was used in the lab, large-scale construction will require more efficient techniques such as mechanical spraying, pressure application, or factory coating of prefab façade elements
- To ensure long-term performance, durability testing for UV resistance and water repellence is essential
Key Conclusion: Valuable as Part of a Combined Strategy
One of the most important findings: Kaumera and similar biobased coatings are not fire accelerants — a common concern with natural materials. In all tests, an increase in fire resistance was measured. For architects, construction firms, and manufacturers of biobased materials, this is critical information: Kaumera shows that sustainability and fire safety can go hand-in-hand, especially when used as part of an integrated fire safety strategy.
Looking Ahead: Continued Testing and Development
With her graduation project complete, Laura will soon begin her career at Peutz, where she plans to continue working with biobased materials. Her message to the sector is clear: keep investing in research, development, and validation. Only then can biobased products like Kaumera make the leap from promising innovation to widely adopted building solutions.
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We invite you to discover Kaumera as a bio-based alternative. If you are interested, please contact us.