Extinguishing Blankets by Foga Protect the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025
Safety, innovation, and Czech science – these are the three key values that the organisers have chosen to unite in a single solution as they prepare the Czech Pavilion for EXPO 2025. As a result, the pavilion will be equipped with Foga extinguishing blankets. This cutting-edge Czech fire suppression technology, which has yet to encounter its limits, was developed by Walk on Water in collaboration with scientists from Charles University and the BIOCEV research centre.
“We are honored that Foga can be part of the Czech Pavilion at EXPO in Japan—not only because of the prestige, but also because it demonstrates how scientific research can truly make a difference in practice. Our goal was to create a tool that, through a combination of the latest technological insights, can quickly and easily extinguish even those types of fires that conventional methods cannot handle. Getting Foga to this point is a huge motivation for us to continue developing it further,” says Petra Gottwald, developer of the Foga extinguishing blanket and co-founder of Walk on Water.
Foga represents a new generation of fire suppression tools. Its high effectiveness lies in the synergy between a special fabric, chemically treated water, and a thermal nanoshield. This highly efficient insulating material can block up to 92% of thermal radiation and also capture any flying, glowing debris. Foga is used simply like a blanket, making it ideal for situations where a quick and safe response is needed—especially in enclosed spaces where traditional firefighting methods might cause more harm than good.
“We chose Foga as a practical safety feature and at the same time as a representative of Czech science and innovation. Although the pavilion meets strict Japanese fire safety standards, we wanted to take an extra step by including a extinguishing blanket. For us, Foga represents exactly the kind of smart solution we want to showcase at EXPO,” says Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025. The blankets are placed on all five floors of the pavilion, at several easily accessible locations on each level. They are intended for immediate use if needed, and at the same time serve as a prominent example of successful science-to-practice transfer.
Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about them on July 25 during EDU Day, a thematic day dedicated to education, research, and innovation. On this occasion, representatives from Walk on Water as well as members of the academic team from Charles University will arrive in Osaka. During the presentation, the founders will share the story behind the technology, explain its practical applications, and reveal plans for further development. The goal is also to establish new international partnerships that would enable Foga to expand into other countries and industries.
About the Foga Extinguishing Blanket
Foga is an innovative extinguishing blanket that represents the safest method of layperson fire suppression to date. It was developed by the Czech company Walk on Water in collaboration with scientists from Charles University and the BIOCEV research center. Foga functions as a cooling cover, an oxygen barrier, and a thermal shield all in one – capable of reflecting and absorbing up to 92% of thermal radiation. Thanks to its ease of use and high effectiveness, it is suitable not only for households but also for food service operations, and the petrochemical, chemical, processing, and pharmaceutical industries. Foga blankets are also used by the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague when working with highly flammable nitrate films.
About the Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2025
Czechia will be participating in a World Expo as an independent country for the sixth time. Since September 2022, the role of Commissioner General has been held by Ondřej Soška. The pavilion’s design – a glass spiral – was selected through an open architectural competition, which was won in March 2023 by Apropos Architects. The main structure is made of modern CLT wooden panels, while the façade features artistic glass, drawing on a centuries-old Czech tradition. The national pavilion provides a dignified setting for Czechia’s presence at EXPO 2025, which will take place from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. Inside, the pavilion features a permanent exhibition, the multifunctional Daisue Hall auditorium, business meeting facilities, a restaurant, the CTP Lounge, and a seaside relaxation zone open to visitors in front of the building. Cultural performances take place almost every weekend from Friday to Sunday. The pavilion was officially approved for use in early April 2025 and stands as the largest wooden structure of its kind in Japan without a metal supporting frame. It officially opened to the public on April 13, 2025.