An all-weather solid flammable biofuel for ration cookers called ‘FireDragon’ from BCB International Ltd, which can be ignited even when wet is set to be launched at this year’s international security event, Milipol, at the Doha Exhibition Centre, Qatar.

The event will take place from October 20 to 22.

Many North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces  currently issue hexamine fuel to their troops for cooking in the field and are looking to move to a replacement fuel due to the dangers that hexamine presents to the health of soldiers. Hexamine is a potentially dangerous and outdated substance; burning it gives off cyanide.   Established in Cardiff, BCB International, believe that their alcohol-based alternative fuel, ‘FireDragon’, will prove popular with soldiers on patrol who need to heat up their rations quickly without producing and inhaling toxic fumes.

Andrew Howell, BCB’s managing director, said: “Over the last five years, we have been developing a green and clean solid bio-fuel made from ethanol called ‘FireDragon’.  I am happy to announce that after extensive research and pre-production trials, the eagerly awaited fuel is now in production.

He added: “The launch of the fuel is good news for our troops. It will enable soldiers to cook their meals and make their brews with a safer and cleaner fuel than traditional military rations fuel blocks like hexamine.  Our fuel is non-toxic, non-drip and made from 100 per cent natural ingredients, including ethanol sourced from UK grown grain stocks. The FireDragon fuel can be packed with rations which reduces their logistics costs.”

Howell went on to explain how the fuel is more than a match for similar alternative fuels: “One tablet of FireDragon fuel (27 grams) can boil 500 ml of water in 5-6 minutes; that’s at least two minutes faster than competitors’ products.  It can even be ignited whilst wet, something unique to FireDragon.

Howell concluded: “Wherever they operate, whether in driving rain, the freezing arctic or searing heat, the fuel will enable soldiers to heat their rations whenever required.” – TradeArabia News Service