Every year we observe the devastating reality of forest fires: They are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more destructive to our communities and our planet. But the tools we currently use to fight them often come with a hidden cost: toxic chemicals that contaminate our soil and groundwater, expensive, non-accessible to the vast majority of households, hard to handle or use, and especially hard to clean or dispose of. Sallus wants to change this.Sallus is a high-performance fire retardant that is completely bio-based, non-toxic, and biodegradable. It is derived from renewable vegetable and mineral sources, meaning we can protect our forests without poisoning them. What makes Sallus truly revolutionary is its thermo-responsive technology. When the heat of a fire approaches, this liquid retardant quickly transforms into a physical, heat-shielding barrier that clings to trees, brush, and buildings. This barrier actively blocks the progression of flames, giving firefighters and asset owners a massive advantage and saving homes that would otherwise be lost. Why is this a game-changer? First, it’s perfectly safe. It is harmless to the people applying it, the animals living in the forest, and the water we drink. Second, it’s versatile. Anyone can spray it from a truck, coat a wooden fence with it, or pour it to make a defensive perimiter. It’s designed for everyone to use, even on a daily basis: from professional emergency services to farmers and homeowners.Third, it’s cost-effective. We have developed a solution that is not only safer but also more affordable than traditional alternatives, empowering asset owners to have autonomy and be able to protect their own assets and goods without having to worry about their safety. Our mission at Hephaesnus is to provide a faster, more sustainable way to protect people and their assets from forest fires. With Sallus, we aren't just fighting flames, we are protecting our future, our assets, and our environment.
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Our main ambition is to be able to fully certify our product in the maximum number of categories as possible, and to be able to reach as many households and companies in rural areas as possible, to empower them and give them autonomy to protect their own assets and valuable items before dangerous forest fires reach their areas. We are hoping to save thousands of homes, hundreds of companies and prevent the use of millions of liters of potentially toxic retardants.
Sallus stands apart from conventional fire retardants through three main pillars: Technological Innovation, Sustainability and Accessibility 1. Thermo-Responsive Gelling Technology At the heart of Sallus lies its most disruptive innovation: a material that reacts to fire rather than simply resisting it. Upon exposure to heat, transforms from a liquid into a cohesive gel barrier. This dynamic response means protection intensifies precisely when and where it is most needed as a smarter mechanism when compared to passive chemical retardants that degrade or evaporate before fire even arrives. 2. Bio-Based Formulation Sallus is formulated entirely from renewable vegetable and mineral sources, achieving fire-suppression performance without synthetic toxins. It also means that it can be fully sustainable and is non-toxic to humans, animals and environment alike. 3. Dual-Domain Protection Unlike most retardants designed exclusively for aerial firefighting or industrial use, Sallus bridges forest fires and structural fires into one. This cross-domain versatility (applicable to forests, agricultural land, wooden structures, and residential perimeters) represents a shift from what we usually see in the market (very specialized, often expensive fire retardants); 4. Democratisation of Fire Protection By achieving superior performance at a lower cost and through simple application methods (spray, coat, pour), Sallus removes the barrier between professional-grade fire protection and everyday users making this a social innovation as much as a technical one. Together, these pillars position Sallus not merely as an improved product, but as also as player focused on a great shift in fire risk management.
The Sallus fire retardant addresses a critical, three-fold crisis in modern fire management: the increasing intensity of wildfires, the environmental toxicity of current suppression methods, and the economic barriers to effective protection. 1. "Toxic Legacy" of Fire Suppression Traditional fire retardants often rely on heavy chemicals and phosphates that, while effective at stopping flames, can lead to long-term environmental damage. These substances can cause soil acidification, trigger harmful algal blooms in waterways (eutrophication), and pose health risks to wildlife and firefighters. Sallus resolves this ecological conflict by using a bio-based, non-toxic, and biodegradable formula. It allows for effective fire defense without leaving a toxic footprint in the ecosystems we are trying to save. 2. The "Passive Resistance" Limitation Most standard fire treatments are passive; they are applied and stay static. Sallus resolves the efficiency gap through its thermo-responsive gelling technology. By physically transforming into a protective barrier only when heat is detected, it creates a superior mechanical shield that clings to surfaces more effectively than liquid-only alternatives. This ensures the retardant stays where it is needed most—on the fuel source—rather than evaporating or running off before the fire arrives. 3. The Accessibility and Cost Gap High-end fire protection has historically been the domain of heavy government agencies and specialized industrial units, often due to high costs and complex application requirements. Sallus resolves the protection disparity by offering a solution that is "safer and cheaper." Its ease of application (spraying, coating, or pouring) means that farmers, homeowners, and small-scale forest managers can proactively protect their own assets. In short, Sallus resolves the impossible choice between effective fire defense and environmental preservation, while making that protection economically viable for so
Currently, the Hephaesnus team is composed by 4 people, hoping to reach 6 people by the end of 2026. Our team has 2 distinguished PhDs in Chemical Engineering, responsible for the development, testing and manufacturing of our Sallus Retardant, with extreme experience in sustainable fire retardants. Our CEO is a Masters in Political Science and International Relations, with experience in management. We also have a BA in Project Management to help us handle and plow through our pipeline.
Currently, the Hephaesnus team is composed by 4 people, hoping to reach 6 people by the end of 2026. Our team has 2 distinguished PhDs in Chemical Engineering, responsible for the development, testing and manufacturing of our Sallus Retardant, with extreme experience in sustainable fire retardants. Our CEO is a Masters in Political Science and International Relations, with experience in management. We also have a BA in Project Management to help us handle and plow through our pipeline.