Two small Israeli companies, HomeBiogas and Fire Detection Technologies, reported major breakthroughs Monday after receiving their first orders from foreign military forces for unique systems they developed.
The announcements triggered significant gains for both companies on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange—HomeBiogas jumped 18.6%, while Fire Detection Technologies rose by 5.16%.
HomeBiogas secures US military contract
HomeBiogas, a company specializing in waste-to-energy solutions, received its first order from the U.S. Department of Defense to supply 20 off-grid toilet systems for a remote U.S. Air Force base. The system, designed for locations disconnected from centralized sewage infrastructure, treats waste by converting it into renewable energy—without requiring water or sewage hookups. According to the company, the system reduces water usage by about 90% compared to conventional toilets.
Founded in 2007 by Yair Teller and Oshik Efrati, HomeBiogas develops biogas systems that break down organic waste with bacteria, producing methane gas and organic fertilizer. The systems are suitable for both household and institutional use, with energy generated from various materials—from human waste to agricultural residues and sewage.
The company sees the U.S. military order as a potential gateway to larger deals. Efrati, the company’s CEO, explained that current off-grid military toilets typically use metal tanks that are burned when full, causing complaints of smoke inhalation and pollution. The HomeBiogas system, in contrast, includes a foot-pump toilet that sends waste to a digester, where it is converted into methane. In the case of the U.S. base, the gas will be used for heating water.
“Our advantage is that the units are easy to transport, quick to assemble, and provide a clean energy solution,” Efrati said. “This is a major milestone for us.”
He also noted previous successes, including over 500 installations in remote schools in El Salvador, where the biogas is used to cook breakfast for students. Additionally, the company recently signed a deal with a Swiss organization to install systems for farmers in Ghana, with the resulting carbon credits going to Switzerland.
HomeBiogas ended 2024 with $2.63 million in sales but has not yet reached profitability. Its current market value is approximately NIS 38.5 million.
Fire Detection Technologies enters Asian and European defense markets
Fire Detection Technologies, controlled by Yechiel Spector—founder and former owner of fire safety company Spectronix—also received initial orders from two foreign air forces in Asia and Europe. The orders include the company's proprietary "Lehava" fire detection system, designed specifically for aircraft hangars.
Founded in 2017, the company specializes in advanced fire and gas detection systems. Spector previously sold Spectronix to U.S.-based Emerson a decade ago before establishing the new firm.
The company announced the sale of 44 "Lehava" detectors to an East Asian air force and 24 units to a European counterpart. CEO Haviv Perlman noted that the detectors were tested and approved by both militaries, with their main advantage being the ability to rapidly detect fires in high-risk environments such as gas platforms, refineries, recycling facilities, and aircraft hangars—without triggering false alarms from jet engine heat, a common issue with competing systems.
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Perlman stressed that the significance lies not in the size of the order but in the company's initial entry into two new foreign defense markets. He added that the system has also been presented to the U.S. military, passed Department of Defense standards, and was shown to the U.S. Navy's airfield command in Hawaii. The detector is currently being considered as a replacement for a competing system made by U.S.-based Det-Tronics.
Fire Detection Technologies went public in 2019 and ended 2024 with $10.3 million in sales. Like HomeBiogas, the company is not yet profitable. It currently has a market capitalization of NIS 230 million.