news


EPA checks decaBDE alternatives


The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a draft report assessing potential substitutes for decabro- modiphenyl ether (decaB- DE) flame retardants that are being phased out in the US by December 2013. Produced under the


EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) pro- gramme, the 800+ page report profiles the environ- mental and human health hazards of 30 alternative additives that are already on the market. The EPA is now seeking


stakeholder and public input on the draft publica- tion. Comments need to be submitted to Emma Lavoie (Lavoie.Emma@epa.gov) by 30 September 2012. The full draft report can be read at: http://bit.ly/DecaBDE. The organisation


stresses that the health and environmental profiles are largely based on computer- model generated estimates, and that the models are limited in their ability to predict concern. It adds that laboratory testing and ongo- ing environmental monitor- ing are necessary to fully understand the potential for concern associated with these chemicals. DecaBDE is a common


flame retardant that has been widely used in electronics, vehicles and building materials. ❙ www.epa.gov/dfe


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Suzuki seeks to patent talc-free PP compound


Suzuki Motor Corporation has developed a talc-free polypro- pylene (PP) compound that it says is 10% lighter and easier to colour while maintaining mechanical properties. Called Suzuki Super Polypropylene (SSPP), the new grade is used on the lower trim on the front bumper of the company’s new Escudo model (picutred right) which was launched last month. Suzuki says that the addition


of talc to PP compounds increases their weight and dulls their colour due to a reduction in transparency. It adds that its SSPP material achieves the required rigidity and impact resistance by adding only a thermoplastic elastomer to a high rigidity base PP resin.


New EU audit scheme sets the standard for recycled plastics


Europe’s plastics converters, recyclers and collectors have agreed to launch a new certification and audit scheme named EuCertPlast which implements the existing CEN standard 15343 for post-con- sumer plastics recycling. Ton Emans, president of the


European Plastics Recyclers association (EuPR), said: “A suitable harmonized auditing scheme for Europe was needed due to the difficulty in gaining access to plastics waste from the different and often complex national systems. Now with EuCert-


COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2012


Plast a level playing field has been created and plastics recyclers can work with all national collection schemes to get access to raw materials for further treatment in Europe”. The European Association


of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations (EPRO) worked on the two-year project with the EuPR. Its co-chairman Francis Huysman said that the scheme would “enable our members, which include some of the largest plastics recovery organisations in Europe, to have confidence that recyclers


holding this certification will process their plastics to the highest possible operational and environmental standards”. Alexandre Dangis, manag-


ing director of the European Plastics Converters associa- tion (EuPC), added: “I am very happy with the outcome of this project in which we have been able to demonstrate that good practices on post-consumer plastics recycling should be rewarded with a European Certificate and this will boost the use of recyclates in Europe by plastics converters”. ❙ www.eucertplast.eu


www.compoundingworld.com The flexural rigidity of the


resulting talc-free compound is claimed to be comparable to existing PP compounds while weight is reduced by approxi- mately 10%. The company has applied for a patent for the technology and plans to extend its use into interior parts and exterior components such as bumpers in the future.


The first application of


SSPP in the Escudo bumper trim takes advantage of the high colourability of the resin. The part has a bright metallic silver colour that is achieved without painting, increasing its resistance to scratches and stone chips. ❙ www.globalsuzuki.com


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