Cashing in on the most recent round of funding from the Northeastern Pennsylvania branch of Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Advanced-Tec Materials has created an insulation that is not only sustainable but also fire-resistant. Advanced-Tec believes the material, which is made from waste coal by-products and vegetable proteins, to have many applications. But currently, the company seeks to replace insulation for industrial doors, which have been found to be unsafe in the case of fire.
The more of the coal production waste we put into the product, the more fire resistant it becomes, says Advanced-Tec CEO Jack St. Pierre. Because its green and fire-resistant and has even been tested to have an increased insulation value over current materials, its shown to be very attractive to our customers.
Founded as a research and development company four years ago, Advanced-Tec is sitting on a few commercial innovations they hope to commercialize over the next year. With their material set for sale, the Ben Franklin funding will help Advanced-Tec open a facility in Hazleton. The facility will serve as the materials production headquarters, creating jobs and bringing fire safety to the regions industrial centers.
Our products have now been developed completely and tested and demonstrated to customers, says St. Pierre. Its time to start taking the whole company into the commercialization stage.
Source: Jack St. Pierre, Advanced-Tec
Writer: John Steele