NEWS
NIST review on LCAs of plastics
This NIST review analyses current knowledge on life cycle and environmental assessments of plastics, based on over 150 publications. It is noted that “FRs are usually ignored in plastics LCA studies”.
READ MOREApple, Google & ChemFORWARD
Independent chemical assessments for safer flame retardants for electronics targets PIN FRs. The Science-based NGO ChemFORWARD has announced that it is now working with Apple and Google to implement its SAFERTM (*) value-chain chemical hazard repository for PIN flame retardants in electronics.
READ MOREPIN FR engineering thermoplastic
pinfa member Asahi Kasei’s PIN FR mPPE shows application success in automotive, electronics, photovoltaics, and water installations.
READ MOREPIN FR labels for fire-safe electronics
Polyonics continues to improve its non-halogen flame-resistant labels for miniature, high-power electronics. Component and material labels in electronic equipment and batteries are essential to enable component and material identification, quality control, commercial traceability, maintenance and dismantling – recycling.
READ MOREHFFR polyphthalamide (PPA) for e-vehicles
Solvay’s new halogen-free flame retarded PPA offers electrical, heat resistance and dimensional performance for EV drives. UL 94 V-0 (@ 0.4 mm) fire performance is achieved, CTI > 600 volts and heat resistance > 120°C, adapted for demanding conditions in electric vehicle motors, power electronics and transmission systems.
READ MOREPCL’s PIN FR performance polymers range
Polymer Compounders offers a range of non-halogenated FR PC/ABS, FR PC/ASA and polycarbonate blends for demanding customer applications.
READ MORENitrogen – phosphorus – mineral synergy
A combination of allylamine polyphosphate (20%) and clay (2%) achieved UL-94 V0 (3.2 mm) in polypropylene, showing better fire performance than only APP (ammonium polyphosphate), APP + clay or only allylamine polyphosphate (AAPP).
READ MOREIntumescent + clay for PIN SLS 3D-printing
Triazinyl 22% with organo-clay 3% achieved UL 94 V-0 (1.6 mm) in SLS-printed TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). TPU with 25% aluminium diethyl phosphonate (AlPi) was also tested (but not AlPi plus clay).
READ MOREWastewater copper removed recycled as FR
A complex, magnetic iron – zinc compound was lab tested to adsorb copper ions then tested as an FR coating for PU foam. An iron – zinc – ammonium compound (FeO-ZIF8) was synthetised from magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, zinc nitrate and 2-methylimidazole.
READ MOREChitosan – DOPO PIN FR for epoxy
The bio-polymer chitosan, modified with nitrogen, was used with the PIN FR DOPO, achieving UL 94 V-0 (3.2 mm) in epoxy. Chitosan is the second most abundant bio-polymer, after cellulose, and the most abundant organic compound containing nitrogen, and can be sourced e.g. from seafood wastes.
READ MORELiquid chitosan – P FR for natural fibres
Chitosan reacted with phosphoric acid was tested as a liquid PIN FR for natural fibres used to reinforce vinyl ester resin. Chitosan solution, prepared using acetic acid, was phosphorus-loaded by reacting with phosphoric acid.
READ MOREImpacts of aryl phosphate PIN FRs on PC/ABS smoke emission.
Neat PC/ABS, polymer + anti-dripping agent PTFE, polymer + PTFE + 10% loading of six different aryl phosphate PIN FRs (TPP, CDP, RDP, BTPP, BTP, Sol-DP) were tested for fire performance, smoke emission and smoke toxicity as per EN 45545-2.
READ MOREReview concludes ‘conflicting conclusions’ on long-term environmental risks of organophosphate esters (OPEs).
Analysis of over 100 studies and publications covers 18 OPEs, which are used as plasticisers and/or flame retardants. Conclusions are that OPEs are widespread in oceans and in the atmosphere, both in coastal waters near industrial regions, and also in remote oceans and polar regions.
READ MORETCO Generation9 targets safer chemicals
Updated certification for IT equipment again restricts halogenated substances and authorises safer PIN FRs. The TCO Certified Generation9, the health, environment and worker protection label for office and home electronics, is updated to further address sustainability of raw material supply, circularity and lifetime extension, as well as now covering chemicals used in IT manufacture (not only chemicals present in the final product).
READ MOREEU court confirms halogenated FR ban
The European General Court has validated the EU Ecodesign Regulation ban on halogenated FRs in TV and monitor cases. The Court has dismissed a challenge brought by BSEF, an industry group whose members are four companies manufacturing brominated flame retardants FRs (Br-FRs).
READ MOREProposed regulatory text for update of CPR
To 1st June. The EU has published for comment the proposed text of the revised Construction Products Regulation (CPR). pinfa already made input during the preparatory phases, see pinfa Newsletter n°21
READ MOREEU textiles industry BAT regulatory update
Draft update to BAT will require consideration of substitution of brominated flame retardants for textiles finishing. Under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) specifications, where defined, are legally applicable to all concerned industry installations in Europe. pinfa made detailed input to the process of updating the textiles industry BAT reference document (BREF) in 2020 (see pinfa Newsletter n°114).
READ MOREEU consultation: chemicals information
To 12th April. Proposals to coordinate different chemicals assessment procedures and improve chemical data access. As part of the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the Commission proposes to streamline chemicals assessments by various EU agencies (chemicals ECHA, food safety EFSA, environment EEA and medicines EMA) as well as EU expert groups, scientific committees and contractor studies.
READ MOREReminder: EU consultation on REACH
To 15th April 2022: polymers, endocrine disruption, mixture effects, environmental footprint, essential use. See pinfa Newsletter n°133.
READ MORECanada assessment of 1-bromopropane
Canada has proposed to classify the non-FR chemical 1-bromopropane (nPB) persistent, health and environment risk. 1-bromopropane is principally used as a solvent, degreaser or intermediate in chemicals production, adhesives and sealants, not as a flame retardant.
READ MOREEU public consultation: Toy Safety Directive
To 25th May 2022. Should rules on chemicals in toys should be stricter? Which chemicals should be targeted or banned? The consultation questionnaire, open to the public and to stakeholders, asks whether rules on chemicals in toys should be made stricter, what types of chemical risks should be targeted, how the Directive should address hazardous chemicals and how chemicals should be indicated on toy labels.
READ MOREEU public consultation: RoHS review
To 2nd June 2022. RoHS and recycling, Critical Raw materials, REACH. Process for updating restricted substances. The RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment 2011/65/EU) is currently under review. The open consultation targets both the general public, with four questions concerning RoHS and recycling (hazardous substances in recycled materials, recycling costs) and 30 questions for industry and specialists.
READ MOREDebate on EPA risk conclusions on HBCD
US EPA’s conclusion on risks of the brominated FR, HBCD, faces questions on “whole-chemical” approach.. The EPA’s final Risk Assessment of hexabromocyclododecane and the cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD), December 2021, see pinfa Newsletter n°135, concludes impacts on aquatic plants, fish embryos, aquatic invertebrates, earthworms and priority human health impact on the thyroid hormone.
READ MOREUS’ grim sequels to Grenfell
Two recent fires in public housing in the US, leaving 29 dead lead to calls for reform in fire safety regulations and funding.17 people died in the Twin Parks North West public housing building, in th...
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