Lola Guerra sees that the market is looking for polymer additives solutions with preferably no toxicity profiles for the future. Combinations of phosphorus and nitrogen based additives and synergists with minerals can ensure fire performance while improving mechanical characteristics in materials such as thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) for wire and cable. A challenge is that no flame retardant does everything, and new PIN FR products or combinations are needed to improve, in particular, tensile strength and elongation in different polymers. Electromobility is a demanding new market, implying increased use of polymers in vehicles with specific performance requirements, such as electrical and chemical resistance, and weatherability. Future standards are not yet defined, but trends are evident towards higher fire safety requirements than in today’s vehicles and growth of non-halogenated solutions.
The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is global specialty chemicals company with more than 55 years of experience. Lubrizol Engineered Polymers offers a broad portfolio of engineered polymers including resins that are flame retardant, chemically resistant, bio-based*, light stable, adhesive and fast cycling. www.lubrizol.com/Engineered-Polymers