PIGMENTS | TiO2 DEVELOPMENTS


precedent-setting nature of the case. It says the discussions between stakeholders have confirmed that the potential concern for TiO2


a question of occupational health and safety, so any solution should take this into account and be appropriate. “This is a complex issue and the RAC itself


recognised that there are several open questions. For example, it highlights that there are open questions in the ECHA guidance on the relevance of using rat data generated under conditions of lung overload for humans,” the association says. “The RAC also concludes that the hazard described for TiO2


is not an ‘intrinsic toxicity’ in a classical


Above: TDMA is responding to European Commission proposals to list TiO2 as a suspected carcinogen


for the balance sheet.” At FP-Pigments, Group Technical Director Paul


Dietz says business with its FP-500 Series (TiO2 particles coated in calcium carbonate in a 20:80 ratio) continues to grow as customers find they are able to reduce use of TiO2


use while maintaining


end application performance. “Over the last couple of years we have seen increased interest in FP-550 for masterbatches and


FP-510 for PVC (both rigid and flexible) as TiO2 prices rose and users tried to maintain cost effect performance,” he says.


Health concerns In October 2017, the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposed classifying TiO2


as a suspected


carcinogen (Category 2) by inhalation. We asked the Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association (TDMA), a sector group of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), to explain how it has responded to the move. “TDMA stands by its view that TiO2


is safe and


has been engaging with the European Commis- sion, the Member States and other interested parties in regulatory discussions to find an appro- priate way to take this opinion forward,” according to TDMA. “In November, the European Commis- sion asked the Member States and interested parties whether the RAC’s opinion could be included directly into the CLP Regulation [which aligns the EU system of classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures to the Globally Harmonised System, GHS]. TDMA and others have many questions on whether the CLP is the most efficient tool to address the potential hazard described in the RAC’s opinion.” The association says that most stakeholders


have expressed concerns over a direct inclusion in the CLP Regulation, given the complexity and


26 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | January/February 2019


sense but is characterised as particle toxicity. This means that the hazards described are not exclu- sively characteristic for TiO2


but apply to a whole


group of chemicals referred to as ‘poorly soluble low toxicity particles’ (PSLTs). Therefore, any regulatory decision on TiO2


precedent for hundreds of other granular dusts.” TDMA has highlighted that the proposed would have unintended


classification for TiO2


impacts in downstream legislation. As an example, if TiO2


1% of TiO2


was classified, waste containing more than would automatically be deemed


hazardous under the EU’s Waste Framework Directive, rendering waste containing more than 1% TiO2


potential for inhalation of unbound TiO2


unrecyclable, even when there is no . For


instance, it estimates that the cost of managing waste paint buckets in Germany alone would increase from €10m (for recyclable buckets) to €200m (for hazardous buckets). To answer open questions, the TDMA has launched a €14m science programme and has asked the Commission to wait for outcomes of this programme before a decision is taken, as it would build the scientific basis to help resolve the many issues, without setting aside the RAC’s opin- ion. “The regulatory discussions on TiO2


continue


and TDMA is committed to continue its work with the authorities in this process to find an appropri- ate solution,” the association says.


CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: � www.chemours.com � www.lomonbillions.global � www.cristal.com � www.tronox.com � www.venatorcorp.com � RD Titan Group www.innovativetio2.com � www.cornelius.co.uk � www.fp-pigments.com � www.tdma.info


www.pipeandprofile.com would effectively set a


is predominantly


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