News

BTBPE = 1, 2-bis (2,4, 6-tribromophenoxy) ethane has been used to substitute the now-banned brominated flame retardant Octa-BDE (listed as POP in 2009).

Some fifty different FRs were analysed in settled dust from a total of 18 informal e-waste and end-of-life vehicle processing workshops  in Vietnam.

Infant exposure to organo-phosphorus FRs (OPFRs). A study of 259 children aged 3.5 years and 388 mothers in France (ELFE cohort) found nine OPFRs (out of 15 analysed) in at least one fifth of hair samples.

This pinfa Newsletter summarises ECOFRAM 2022, the third International Conference on Eco-Friendly Flame Retardant Additives and Materials, Alès, France, 17-18 May 2022 (postponed from 2020 because of Covid).

Christian Battenberg, Clariant, presented the company’s objectives of climate impact reduction, the product portfolio sustainability assessment system and the Clariant “Ecotain” label for best-in-class products (pinfa Newsletter n°79). Clariant has fixed the objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% for scope 1+2 and by 14% for scope 3 (link) between 2019 to 2030.

Sabyasachi Gaan, EMPA Switzerland, presented testing of PIN FRs in reactive extrusion of polyamide. An oligomeric phosphorus PIN flame retardant was embedded in polyamide, by reaction of a phosphorylated vinyl monomer (DVPPO) with the cyclic amine (piperazine) in extrusion of polyamide polymer to fibres, so embedding the resulting phosphorus-nitrogen macromolecules in the polyamide matrix.

Jérémie Pourchez, Mines Alès France, presented analysis of nano-particles in fly ash (from offgas filters) and bottom ash, both from laboratory incineration of ethylene vinyl acetate polymer containing nano-minerals: silica, alumina, boehmite, zinc, titanium.

Maude Jimenez, UMET Lille University, France, presented investigations of self-stratifying epoxy/silicone coatings, with the aim of achieving railway fire safety requirements.

Jaime Grunlan, Texas A&M University, USA, presented polyelectrolytes as a mode of PIN flame retardant surface application to materials such as textiles or polymers.

Adèle Lamandé, CSTB France (national construction technical centre), presented studies of gas emissions from timber laminates under different oxygen concentrations, intended to simulate different fire conditions.

Maxinne Denis, University of Montpellier, France, presented testing of bio-based PIN flame retardants for alkyd resin coatings.

Lily Deborde, LGCGM Rennes University France, summarised work on PIN flame retardant alternatives to boric acid and ammonium salts for hemp fibre thermal insulation products (blown insulation, panels).

Sandrine Therias, Institut de Chimie de Clermont Ferrand France, reviewed literature on weathering of PIN flame retarded polymers.

pinfa webinar, 27, 28 and 30 June 2022, 16h – 17h CEST “What are Safe and Sustainable Flame Retardants?” with Schneider Electric, ChemForward, TCO Development, ChemSec, Cefic.

Proposed regulatory text for update of Construction Products Regulation. Prolonged to 12th July. This new Regulation text is likely to considerably modify conditions for validation of CE-marks and so EU market access, impacting fire safety of construction products.

To 28th July 2022: proposed bans of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and Dechlorane Plus (DP), as well as on extension of existing bans on brominated FRs HBCD and PBDEs.

The European Commission has published a “roadmap” of assessment priorities for chemicals for possible restrictions. The Commission states that the roadmap “prioritises group restrictions for the most harmful substances to human health and the environment” as set out in the Green Deal Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, and will become the basis for multiannual planning under REACH, to be regularly reviewed to ensure flexibility and progress.

HBM4EU conference says data is inadequate for 60+ current use FRs, suggests potential endocrine disrupting concerns. The EU-funded HBM4EU human biomonitoring project (Horizon2020) is coordinated by th...

Analysis of 69 FRs suggests that 12 (7 halogenated/ATO, 5 PIN) may lead to Classification of plastic wastes, so posing a regulatory obstacle to recycling. In total, 23 out of 69 FRs are identified as...

EU report calling for research on recycling and environmental impacts of nano-materials is relevant for PIN FRs. The 130-page report from ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) and EUON (European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials) states that nano-fillers have “potential to contribute to increasing recycling rates of waste and the quality of the recycled products” but on the other hand it is indicated “the environmental and human health impact of nanoparticles has not yet been fully investigated;

New Pollutants Control Action Plan will drive chemical data, assessment and regulation over the coming three years. The new Government Plan, published May 2022, will go considerably further than the current lists of priority controlled chemicals published in China, which include partial or total bans on four halogenated flame retardants (HBCD, DecaBDE, SCCPs, DechloranePlus).

The deadly fire in a four-storey commercial building, Mundka, Delhi, is thought to have been caused by a short-circuit. The fire 13th May 2022, indicated to have started in the offices of a CCTV camera manufacturing company, killed 27 and injured over 40.

Flame retardant chemicals do work … are an important part of our fire safety protection systems ” says Alexander Morgan, a global leading fire expert at University of Drayton, USA.

China announces update of Lithium Ion battery technology standards. This follows new standards for EVs in 2021. From 1st January 2021, three new standards are applicable in China: