Vorbeck Materials
Vorbeck Materials is a U.S.-based materials science company that develops and manufactures fluorine-free firefighting foam (Vorbeck O3) and graphene-based signal technologies, including antennas and EMI shielding, serving municipal fire departments, the U.S. military, aerospace, oil and gas, and industrial operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersJessup, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Vorbeck Materials does
Vorbeck Materials is a U.S.-based materials science company founded in 2006 in Maryland, spun out of Princeton University research led by Professor Ilhan Aksay. The company operates two distinct product lines: Vorbeck O3, a 3% fluorine-free firefighting foam concentrate certified under UL 162, ULC S564, NFPA 18, and EPA Method 1633 for Class B hydrocarbon and Class A fire suppression, and Vorbeck Signal Technologies, which produces graphene-based antennas, electromagnetic interference shielding, and conductive materials for defense and aerospace applications under its proprietary Vor-x graphene platform. Vorbeck also developed Vor-ink in 2009, the first commercial graphene product in the world. The company holds more than 100 patents spanning electrical and chemical engineering.
Vorbeck generates revenue through direct hardware sales of foam concentrate to municipal fire departments, oil and gas operators, industrial and rail operators, and through sales of graphene-based signal products to U.S. military programs and aerospace customers. Pricing is consultation-based rather than published, with separate sales motions for foam ([email protected]) and signal technologies ([email protected]). Distribution combines a direct enterprise field sales motion with a regional distributor and channel partner network, supplemented by participation in industry tradeshows such as IAFC Fire-Rescue International and FDIC. The company is in negotiations with the Defense Logistics Agency for a $7 million contract to develop graphite-based fire suppressants for defense applications, indicating a significant government revenue pipeline.
The company is privately held, founder-led by President and CEO John Lettow, with operations across a headquarters and R&D center in Columbia, Maryland, and a 47,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota, opened in 2025 and formally commissioned in May 2026. The company employs 51-100 people and maintains strategic research collaborations with Princeton University and the University of North Dakota.
Vorbeck Materials firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vorbeck Materials
- Legal name
- Vorbeck Materials Corp.
- Website
- https://vorbeck.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Vorbeck Materials is a U.S.-based materials science company that develops and manufactures fluorine-free firefighting foam (Vorbeck O3) and graphene-based signal technologies, including antennas and EMI shielding, serving municipal fire departments, the U.S. military, aerospace, oil and gas, and industrial operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vorbeck Materials industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advanced Materials Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing (326150), Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing (32615)
- SIC
- Plastics Foam Products (3086), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Functional Carbon Fillers (Carbon Black, Graphite) (IMAEAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Conductive/ESD & EMI-Shielding Compounds (IMANABAH)
Keywords
Where Vorbeck Materials is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jessup
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Vorbeck Materials business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Firefighting Foam Sales: Direct sales of Vorbeck O3 fluorine-free firefighting foam concentrate to municipal fire departments, industrial operators, oil & gas facilities, and distributors. Product is UL 162 and ULC S564 certified for Class B hydrocarbon fires.
- Signal Technologies Products: Sales of graphene-based antennas, EMI shielding, and conductive materials to defense and aerospace customers. Products include concealed antennas for soldiers, vehicle-mounted antennas, and space-ready systems.
- Government Defense Contracts: In negotiation with Defense Logistics Agency for $7 million contract to fund development of graphite-based fire suppressant for defense applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Consultation-based sales |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Vorbeck Materials product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vorbeck Materials manufactures and sells advanced graphene-based materials and products for extreme environments. Its primary commercial offerings are Vorbeck O3, a 3% fluorine-free firefighting foam concentrate for Class B hydrocarbon fire suppression, and Vorbeck Signal Technologies, which includes graphene-based conformal antennas, EMI shielding, and conductive materials for defense and aerospace applications. All products are manufactured in the United States using the company's proprietary Vor-x graphene technology platform.
Product overview
Vorbeck Materials is a U.S.-based materials science company offering two distinct product lines: (1) Vorbeck O3™ fluorine-free firefighting foam for Class B fire suppression serving municipal fire departments and industrial operators, and (2) Vorbeck Signal Technologies featuring Vor-x™ graphene-based antennas, EMI shielding, and conductive materials for defense and aerospace applications. The company also developed Vor-ink™, the world's first commercial graphene product launched in 2009. Products are manufactured in the United States at facilities in Maryland (headquarters/R&D) and North Dakota (47,000 sq ft manufacturing center opened 2025).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vorbeck O3: 3% fluorine-free foam (F3) concentrate engineered for Class B fire suppression, with proven effectiveness across Class A fire scenarios. PFAS and fluorine free, UL 162 and ULC S564 Listed.
- Vor-ink
- Vor-x
Products and services
- Vorbeck O3 Firefighting Foam A 3% fluorine-free foam (F3) concentrate engineered for Class B hydrocarbon fire suppression with proven effectiveness across Class A fire scenarios. Delivers rapid knockdown and industry-leading burn-back protection, certified for freshwater and saltwater use, and listed under UL 162 and ULC S564. Sold to municipal fire departments, industrial operators, oil and gas facilities, and rail transportation.
- Vorbeck Signal Technologies Graphene-based antennas and arrays, electromagnetic attack shielding, and lightweight conductive materials engineered for defense and aerospace applications. Includes conformal, flexible, and concealable antennas for soldier communication systems and vehicle-mounted applications, plus space-ready materials. Targeted at U.S. military programs and aerospace customers.
- Vor-ink Commercial Graphene The first commercial graphene product in the world, produced by Vorbeck Materials in 2009. Served as the foundation for the company's advanced materials platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3% fluorine-free foam concentrate with rapid knockdown and industry-leading burn-back protection
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Vorbeck Materials
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Vorbeck Materials technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Vorbeck Materials partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, foundational, regional and endorsement.
- Defense Logistics AgencycoreIn negotiation for $7 million contract to fund development of graphite-based fire suppressant for defense applications. Represents significant government contract opportunity.
- Princeton UniversityfoundationalEarly work in graphene grew out of Princeton University research led by Professor Ilhan Aksay. Founded on world-class research and performance-first mindset.
- University of North DakotaregionalCollaboration to support applied innovation and regional technical talent development. Supports advanced materials development efforts.
- Leading Aerospace Research InstitutionscoreCollaborative research partnerships on materials and systems for space applications, including radiation-hardened materials development.
- PM13 Defense SolutionsendorsementPhilip Coker, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Ret.) provides endorsement: 'Vorbeck is exceptionally effective at innovation. They have developed two product lines that are highly significant for the U.S. Government and emergency response services.'
- Grand Forks Fire EquipmentregionalPartnership with local Grand Forks fire equipment providers shown in event photos and industry collaboration.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Vorbeck Materials competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- XG Sciences: XG Sciences manufactures xGnP graphene nanoplatelets used in energy storage, composites, and conductive inks. Like Vorbeck, it sells graphene-enabled materials into industrial channels and could compete for similar end-application sockets.
- National Foam: National Foam is a long-standing U.S. manufacturer of Class A and Class B firefighting foam concentrates sold to municipal and industrial customers. Its legacy foam lines and fluorine-free offerings overlap directly with Vorbeck O3's target market and certification footprint.
- Graphenea: Graphenea is one of the largest commercial graphene materials suppliers, producing graphene oxide, nanoplatelets, and CVD graphene for research and industrial customers. It is a peer in the upstream commercial graphene supply layer that also feeds into Vorbeck-style advanced materials applications.
- Kymeta: Kymeta designs and sells flat-panel, software-defined satellite antennas for defense, government, and mobility markets. It is a direct competitor to Vorbeck Signal Technologies' conformal graphene antennas serving size, weight, and power-constrained military applications.
- Perimeter Solutions: Perimeter Solutions is the leading global manufacturer of firefighting foams, including fluorine-free SOLBERG products, UL-listed for Class B hydrocarbon fires. It is the most direct head-to-head competitor to Vorbeck O3 in the municipal and industrial PFAS-free foam transition.
- Haydale Graphene Industries: Haydale is a UK-listed graphene and advanced materials company producing functionalized graphene for composites, sensors, EMI shielding, and energy applications. It competes with Vorbeck's Vor-x graphene platform across multiple industrial and defense adjacencies.
- Angus Fire: Angus Fire manufactures a broad portfolio of firefighting foam concentrates, including alcohol-resistant and fluorine-free Class B foam products. It serves municipal, industrial, oil & gas, and aviation customers worldwide, directly competing for the same fluorine-foam replacement opportunities as Vorbeck.
Emerging players
- Phasor (Hanwha Phasor): Hanwha Phasor develops phased-array antennas for defense and commercial satellite communications, targeting mobility and SWaP-constrained platforms. It competes with Vorbeck's graphene-based antenna approach in defense and aerospace connectivity markets.
- Dr. Sthamer Hamburg: Dr. Sthamer is a German specialty foam manufacturer with deep expertise in fluorine-free alcohol-resistant and Class B foam formulations. It sells globally into airports, petrochemical sites, and municipal markets, making it a relevant fluorine-free foam peer to Vorbeck's product line.
Broad incumbents
- Parker Chomerics (Parker Hannifin): Parker Hannifin's Chomerics division is a major supplier of EMI shielding materials and conductive gaskets to defense and aerospace OEMs. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same electromagnetic shielding sockets that Vorbeck Signal Technologies targets with its graphene-based shielding products.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Vorbeck Materials social profiles
Digital presenceVorbeck Materials compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Vorbeck Materials financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vorbeck Materials leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Vorbeck Materials funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vorbeck Materials M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vorbeck Materials
What does Vorbeck Materials do?
Vorbeck Materials manufactures and sells advanced graphene-based materials and products for extreme environments. Its primary commercial offerings are Vorbeck O3, a 3% fluorine-free firefighting foam concentrate for Class B hydrocarbon fire suppression, and Vorbeck Signal Technologies, which includes graphene-based conformal antennas, EMI shielding, and conductive materials for defense and aerospace applications. All products are manufactured in the United States using the company's proprietary Vor-x graphene technology platform.
Is Vorbeck Materials a public or private company?
Vorbeck Materials is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Vorbeck Materials founded?
Vorbeck Materials was founded in 2006. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Vorbeck Materials based?
Vorbeck Materials is headquartered in Jessup, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vorbeck Materials make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Firefighting Foam Sales are the primary driver. The others are signal Technologies Products and government Defense Contracts.
Who are Vorbeck Materials's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are XG Sciences, National Foam, Graphenea, Kymeta, Perimeter Solutions, Haydale Graphene Industries and Angus Fire. Emerging players are Phasor (Hanwha Phasor) and Dr. Sthamer Hamburg. Parker Chomerics (Parker Hannifin) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Vorbeck Materials have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vorbeck Materials.
What industry is Vorbeck Materials in?
Vorbeck Materials's product category is Advanced Materials Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAFAO, Functional Carbon Fillers (Carbon Black, Graphite), with a secondary code of IMANABAH, Conductive/ESD & EMI-Shielding Compounds. Its NAICS code is 326150 and its SIC code is 3086.