UCL – Emissions from polymers and products
Naima Sallem, Catholic University of Louvain (UCL), Belgium, presented studies of processing of naturally bio-sourced lignin as an additive to polyamide 6. Reactions between the two polymers resulted in potentially interesting changes in the polyamide mechanical properties.
Emissions during processing from the lignin were formaldehyde, phenols, substituted phenols and benzene, whereas caprolactam was the principal VOC emission from the polyamide. Comparison to recommended Short Term Exposure Limits suggest that there may be issues for workers in processing of lignin.