Environmentally responsible. Proven in the field. Designed for authorities, fire brigades, and professional distributors.
PPO® ForExt is a professional wildfire and wildland fire suppression agent developed to support reliable, effective, and safe firefighting operations in demanding forest and wildland environments.
PPO® ForExt combines strong flame‑retardant performance with a responsible and environmentally conscious formulation. The solution has been tested in practical field conditions, used in real wildfire operations, and designed to meet the operational needs of professional firefighting organisations worldwide.
What Is PPO® ForExt?
PPO® ForExt (Forest Fire Extinguishing Agent) is a fluorine‑free, halogen‑free, and heavy‑metal‑free wildfire suppression agent designed for direct attack, fire containment, and mop‑up operations. The solution is a Finnish innovation, developed by PPO‑Elektroniikka and manufactured in Finland at Kiilto’s production facilities.
PPO® ForExt is a patented solution specifically created for wildfire and wildland fire suppression. When mixed with water and applied to fuels and fire edges, it provides a flame‑retardant effect that extinguishes active fire and helps prevent further spread by forming a protective treated zone.
Key Benefits
- Safe and responsible choice: fluorine‑free, halogen‑free and free of heavy metals.
- PFAS‑free formulation with no persistent harmful substances.
- Effective at very low mixing ratios, typically 1:100.
- Improves cooling, adhesion and re‑ignition control in demanding conditions.
- Water‑saving wildfire suppression solution, reducing the need for repeated application.
- Compatible with all existing firefighting equipment without clogging.
- Suitable for both ground‑based and aerial firefighting.
- Tested in real wildfire conditions and supported by comprehensive safety assessment of all ingredients.
- Long shelf life: stable in storage for up to 10 years, no special storage requirements.
- Low logistical footprint – not regulated for transport (ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA), and does not require hazard labelling under the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
- Efficient fire suppression reduces fire duration and limits the release of toxic gases and harmful emissions.
How PPO® ForExt wildfire suppression agent works
PPO® ForExt is used as a water additive and applied directly to fuels and fire edges using standard firefighting equipment. As a wildland fire suppression agent, it is often first applied to the outer edges of a fire area to create a treated firestop zone. This zone helps prevent wildfire spread both on the surface and within the ground.
The ForExt‑water mixture:
- Reduces flame intensity and fire progression
- Supports effective fire containment
- Improves cooling and suppresses residual heat
- Helps prevent re-ignition
- Mixed with water at low ratios (typically 1:100)
- Compatible with all existing firefighting equipment
Depending on terrain, vegetation, and weather conditions, higher mixing ratios can be used to enhance extinguishing performance when required.
Operational use cases
Professional wildland firefighting
Wildland firefighting involves difficult terrain, limited access, and long operational periods. PPO® ForExt is designed to support professional wildfire suppression by improving fire containment, cooling efficiency, and operational safety.
Fire containment and mop‑up
PPO® ForExt supports the creation of effective containment lines and helps control residual heat during mop‑up operations, reducing the risk of re‑ignition and enabling safer progression of firefighting efforts.
Protection of property and surroundings
PPO® ForExt can be used to provide short-term preventive protection in selected areas, helping protect properties, courtyards, and surrounding vegetation when a wildfire approaches.
Hot work and controlled use
In dry conditions, PPO® ForExt can be used to reduce ignition risk around hot work or controlled fire use and to support safe extinguishment after operations.
Compatible with all existing firefighting equipment
PPO® ForExt is fully compatible with all existing firefighting equipment, including:
- Engine pumps and hose lines
- Proportioners and eductors
- Portable firefighting units
- Forest machinery‑based firefighting systems
- Helicopter buckets and fixed‑wing aerial firefighting systems
The ForExt‑water mixture flows like water and does not clog hoses, pumps, nozzles, or cannons, even in small‑diameter equipment. Compatible with all standard models as well as new and innovative firefighting equipment, do not cause corrosion when used according to instructions.
PPO® ForExt in action
Sustainable wildfire suppression agent
PPO® ForExt has been evaluated in accordance with EU chemical legislation and is not classified as hazardous to humans or the environment when used as directed. A full safety assessment has been carried out for all ingredients. The composition is free of PFAS, halogens, heavy metals and other persistent harmful substances. ForExt has been evaluated by an independent chemical assessor and is designed to be safe for soil, water and operators.
The formulation:
- Contains no persistent or bioaccumulative substances
- Is designed to be safe for soil, vegetation, water, and operators
- Does not require special hazard labelling or transport restrictions
- Reduces water consumption by improving extinguishing efficiency
- Supports firefighters by reducing heat and smoke exposure
- Helps protect surrounding forests and natural habitats
- Reduces wildfire-related damage to land and assets
Proven performance in real wildfire conditions
PPO® ForExt has been tested and used in real wildfire environments, including large‑scale forest fires and controlled field tests. In practical use, treated areas have demonstrated effective fire containment and resistance to re‑ignition, even under dry and challenging conditions.
The PPO® ForExt wildfire suppression agent has been used in Finland and tested in several other countries, including Greece, the Netherlands, England, Colombia and Canada. In 2026, ForExt will also be presented at international events.
Tested in Uruguay
In autumn 2025, the Finnish forest machine manufacturer Ponsse organised a firefighting demonstration in the Montes del Plata area of Uruguay. A large group of fire professionals from Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru were present.
ForExt appears in the video at 1:27–2:21.
Test in Bogotá, Colombia
The test was conducted in Bogotá, Colombia, by Coinsa S.A.S., Business Finland, and the Police of Bogotá on February 14, 2024.
Test demonstrated ForExt’s effectiveness in containing forest fires.
Test case: Extinguishing a forest fire with PPO® ForExt/ Niinisalo, Finland
We tested the functionality of the PPO® ForExt at the Niinisalo garrison in Finland. Thanks to the teams of the Rescue Services of Satakunta and the Pori Brigade.
Half of the area was treated with pure water and half with ForExt/water mixture 1:100. The weather was dry and hot; it hadn’t rained in a few weeks. We waited half an hour before lighting the fire. The water had evaporated, so the fire advanced at full speed in the water-treated area. When the fire reached the area treated with the ForExt/water mixture, it was immediately extinguished.
Video from Niinisalo
Test case: Hay fire extinguishing test with the PPO® ForExt
In this video, we will demonstrate, using dry hay, how the forest fire extinguishing agent PPO® ForExt works.
Before we lit the fire, we treated the right side of the hay with the ForExt-water mixture (1:100). The left side was left untreated. We ignited both sides with a burning object. The left side burned completely, but the fire did not spread to the area treated with ForExt.
The Kalajoki forest fire in Finland, June 2021
PPO® ForExt was used during the mop-up operations following the large Kalajoki forest fire in 2021, when conditions were exceptionally demanding: the terrain was difficult to access, and the ground was extremely dry. ForExt performed effectively in wildfire suppression and helped prevent re-ignition.
The image shows a clear boundary where the fire was successfully stopped during wildfire suppression operations.
For authorities and professional buyers
PPO® ForExt is offered exclusively for professional and public‑sector use. PPO‑Elektroniikka operates internationally through distributors and is actively seeking qualified national‑level partners to represent PPO® ForExt in wildfire and wildland fire suppression markets.
Distributor and authority support
- Technical onboarding and application guidance
- Training support for crews and coordinators
- Comprehensive documentation package
- Ongoing technical and operational support during fire seasons
Contact us for more information
To request documentation, samples, or a technical meeting, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Timo Ohtonen
Managing Director
Tel. +358956609210
Tel. +358 400 420 393
Email: timo.ohtonen@ppo‑elektroniikka.fi
Domestic and Export Sales
Tel. +358 9 566 09 20
Email: ppo@ppo‑elektroniikka.fi
PPO‑Elektroniikka Oy
Safety technology since 1981
About PPO‑Elektroniikka and Kiilto
PPO‑Elektroniikka is a Finnish safety‑technology company with over 40 years of experience in developing reliable solutions for critical and demanding environments. The company is responsible for the PPO® ForExt application technology, international marketing, and sales.
Kiilto is a Finnish family‑owned chemical company with more than 100 years of experience in responsible chemical manufacturing. Kiilto produces PPO® ForExt in Finland, ensuring consistent quality, safety, and sustainability.
