Zentek today announced the commercial launch of its Graphite Gel‑Based Fire‑Retardant (GBFR), which will be marketed in the United States as GraphGel™. The company also confirmed an exclusive licensing agreement with Altek Advanced Materials Inc. that will give Altek the rights to manufacture, distribute and sell the product across the U.S. market.
The GBFR system combines rapid gelation with intumescent chemistry to form a protective barrier that meets ASTM E84 Class A fire‑resistance standards. In laboratory tests the product achieved flame‑spread indexes of 25 at low loading and 5 at high loading. A single spray pass can cover a 2,500‑square‑foot home in roughly 30 minutes using a delivery rate exceeding 75 liters per minute (20 gallons per minute).
Wildfire risk has intensified across North America, with more than $200 billion in damages recorded over the past decade and 80 million U.S. structures exposed to fire danger. Canada’s 2025 wildfire season was also severe, underscoring the growing demand for effective fire‑retardant solutions for residential and commercial buildings.
Under the licensing terms, Zentek will receive a 5 % royalty on Altek’s net sales of GraphGel™. The agreement includes a clause that allows the license to become non‑exclusive if annual royalties fall below $1 million after an 18‑month ramp‑up period. The five‑year term can be renewed for an additional five years. The deal also gives Altek access to Zentek’s manufacturing facilities and distribution network, while Greg Fenton, Zentek’s former CEO, now leads Altek and Wendy Ford serves as Zentek’s interim CEO.
Zentek’s Board Chair John Snisarenko said the launch marks a pivotal shift from research to commercialization, highlighting the company’s focus on monetizing its intellectual‑property portfolio. The partnership with Altek reduces early‑stage market entry risk and provides a scalable revenue stream through royalties, positioning Zentek to capture a niche segment of the growing fire‑retardant market.
The announcement signals Zentek’s commitment to turning its technology into a market‑ready product and diversifying its revenue base beyond Canadian operations. With Altek’s manufacturing and distribution capabilities, Zentek can accelerate time‑to‑market and leverage the rising wildfire risk to drive adoption of GraphGel™ across the United States.
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