flame retardants | Additives
improve compared to the use of other flame retard- ants),” it claims. The material is primarily supplied in powder form,
but can also be supplied in a liquid (less concentrated) form, to better correspond with existing polycarbonate production processes. Daihachi Chemical highlights its PX-200 halogen-
free phosphoric acid ester flame retardant, which it says is an easy to handle powder type product with a melting point of 95°C. It is said to display superior hydrolysis resistance and is widely used for engineering plastics in the Asia Pacific area, according to the company. Daihachi Chemical also has a developmental halogen-free flame retardant, PX-202, which has higher heat-resistant and stronger hydrolysis resistance than PX-200.
Bromine developments Suppliers of brominated products have a fight on their hands when it comes to arguing environmental benefits or otherwise of FR additives. But ICL Industrial Prod- ucts, which is the largest producer of elemental bromine in the world and a leading supplier of brominated FR products (as well as other inorganic and phosphorus- based types is prepared to make the case. Earlier this year, it unveiled what is describes as a new science- based assessment tool for flame retardants, called SAFR (Systematic Assessment for Flame Retardants). The tool, which is for use across all flame retardants, assesses the sustainability profile of individual flame retardants according to their application. Ilan Elkan, ICL-IP’s VP of Sustainability and Advo-
cacy, says that for SAFR to fulfil its intended use, it needs to be adopted by all parts of the value chain, “where it will enable purchasing decisions to be made based on the sustainable use of a product in a specific application. SAFR is a step-change for the industry and marks a new level of transparency. Not only will our direct customers benefit, but those up the user chain will be able to measure not only the hazard, but the exposure of any given flame retardant.” Elkan says that, building on existing accepted hazard
criteria, the approach assesses the extent to which potential hazards translate into potential risks due to possible exposure to humans and/or to the environment during the service life of the flame retardant. The SAFR
Table 1: Impact of additive loading on FR system cost FR Additive Product Price per pound Loading level
Product A $ 5.00 5 %
Cost contribution 26 $ 0.25 per pound Source: Flame Retardants Associates COMPOUNDING WORLD | December 2015
tool provides one of four possible outcomes for each product assessed: uses that are ‘recommended’, ‘acceptable’, or ‘not recommended’ and ‘unacceptable hazard’. Flame retardants in applications which have a rating of ‘recommended’ through to ‘not recommended’ are all usable. However, users of flame retardants which achieve a ‘not recommended’ rating will be provided the option of an alternative product with a ‘recommended’ or ‘acceptable’ rating. ICL-IP products that have an ‘unacceptable’ hazard
rating – including those that are still in the development phase - will be, and in many cases have already been, phased out in coordination with the value chain. The company says the methodology behind SAFR can be made available to any interested party upon request. Lein Tange, Product Stewardship Manager for ICL-IP
Europe, says the company’s high molecular weight polymeric bromine-based additives exhibit low water solubility, no leaching, no blooming, and low potential for bioaccumulation. He highlights solutions for automotive applications for compounds operating in high tempera- ture service conditions, E&E components such as connec- tors and relays, electronic and electrical enclosures and numerous building and construction applications. “In order to comply with processing and allow for
high fire safety standards for polyamides and polyes- ters, brominated polyacrylate (FR-1025), brominated polystyrene (FR-803P) and high molecular weight brominated epoxy polymers (F-2000 and F-3000 series) are offered,” says Tange. The latest provide efficient flame retardancy to styrenics compounds as well. For XPS and EPS thermal insulation, ICL has launched FR-122P a high molecular weight brominated butadiene / styrene block copolymer. Innovative, solid and dust-free pastillated Fyrolflex Sol-DP, an efficient phosphate based flame retardant is recommended for styrenic and styrenic alloys such as PC/ABS and PPO/HIPS.
Product B $ 18.00 0.5 %
$ 0.09 per pound
Regulatory restriction In October this year, Chemtura announced its exit from the manufacture and sale of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)-based flame retardant products. “Increasing regulatory restrictions on the use of HBCD-based flame retardants and the commercial development of a viable and ‘greener’ alternative, Chemtura’s Emerald Innovation 3000 flame retardant, have resulted in an unsustainable commercial environment for HBCD,” the company said. Chemtura will permanently discontinue production of HBCD-based flame retardants during, or prior to, the fourth quarter of this year. Sales of HBCD will continue until inventories are depleted. One of the key factors in the success of any new
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