A recent feature on Epicenter Insights highlights NanoTech Materials’ Cool Roof and Fire Mitigation Technology as a leading example of resilient infrastructure solutions. In an in-depth interview, Carrie Horazeck (Chief Commercial Officer) and Troy Marshall (VP of Fire Proofing) discuss the challenges of traditional fire mitigation and cool roof materials, and how NanoTech’s innovations provide safer, more efficient, and sustainable alternatives.
The Case for Preparedness: Why Investing in Resiliency Matters
Studies show that every $1 invested in disaster preparedness saves $13 in economic costs, damages, and cleanup. NanoTech’s solutions align with this principle by offering preventative technology that enhances fire protection and improves energy efficiency, ultimately saving businesses and communities from costly repairs and disruptions.
Key Insights from the Interview
- Fire mitigation without toxic chemicals – Traditional fireproof coatings release hazardous fumes when exposed to heat, while NanoTech’s non-toxic solution eliminates this risk, improving both safety and environmental impact.
- Reusable fire protection – Unlike intumescent coatings, which must be replaced after fire exposure, NanoTech’s fire-resistant coatings remain effective even after multiple fires, reducing long-term costs and waste.
- Protecting critical infrastructure – Wildfires devastate roads, bridges, and emergency response routes. NanoTech’s fireproofing technology preserves infrastructure, ensuring first responders can access disaster zones safely.
- Combating urban heat islands – NanoTech’s Cool Roof Coat reduces heat absorption in cities, lowering temperatures, decreasing cooling costs, and improving public health.
- Sustained efficiency in Cool Roof technology – Unlike traditional reflective coatings that degrade when dirty, NanoTech’s Cool Roof retains performance, reducing HVAC energy costs by up to 49%, compared to 15% savings from conventional coatings.
- Updating outdated regulations – Current tax codes measure insulation using R-value, based on thickness. Because NanoTech’s coatings are thin yet highly effective, they are undervalued in regulatory frameworks, limiting incentives for widespread adoption.
- Financing models for adoption – While upfront costs can be a barrier, financing solutions like energy performance contracts or leasing programs can help organizations implement Cool Roof technology without heavy capital expenditures.
The Science Behind NanoTech’s Innovations
NanoTech’s Insulative Ceramic Particle (ICP)™ technology, developed by Professor Claudinei Calado, provides:
- High emissivity – Efficiently pushes heat away.
- Low thermal conductivity – Prevents heat penetration.
Originally inspired by aerospace technology, this particle offers a durable, non-toxic alternative to traditional fireproofing and cool roof coatings. NanoTech’s mission is to become the world’s most thermally efficient company, helping protect infrastructure from both extreme heat and wildfires.
Expanding Adoption & Market Challenges
Despite its proven benefits, widespread adoption of Cool Roof and Fire Mitigation technology faces challenges such as:
- Scaling operations – As a four-year-old company, NanoTech is expanding its sales and outreach efforts to accelerate growth.
- Building owner hesitancy – Many companies operate on long-term budgets, limiting the ability to implement energy efficiency solutions immediately.
- Government incentives lagging behind innovation – Current tax codes and energy incentives do not fully recognize the benefits of low thermal conductivity materials.
Fireproofing Critical Infrastructure
NanoTech has partnered with Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) to apply Wildfire Shield to wooden infrastructure such as timber lagging for bridges and roads. Protecting these structures from wildfires prevents collapses, maintains access routes, and reduces rebuilding costs. Other applications include wildfire barrier walls and emergency fire panels that can be deployed quickly to protect homes and businesses.
A Future Built on Resilience
As wildfires intensify and global temperatures rise, NanoTech’s solutions offer a scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable path forward. By providing high-performance Cool Roof and Fire Mitigation technologies, the company is helping reshape the way businesses, governments, and communities prepare for climate-driven challenges.
To read the full article from Epicenter Insights, visit: Resiliency Spotlight: NanoTech’s Cool Roof & Fire Mitigation Technology
