DOPO was reacted (in solvents) with piperazine (an organic compound containing nitrogen) and then with a chloro-silane compound, to produce a DOPO-N-Si molecule (not containing the chlorine): 1-(9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide)-4-(trimethoxysilylmethyl) piperazine (DOPO-PiP-Si).

D-Panthenol (vitamin B5) is widely present in plants and animals, including in e.g. milk and soybean, and naturally contains both nitrogen and reactive OH groups.

The zirconium-containing MOF metal organic framework UiO66 (University of Oslo Zirconium 1,4-dicarboxybenzene, a MOF known for its exceptional stability) was functionalised with an amine and with phytic acid (PA, which can be bio-sourced and contains 60% phosphorus), in a one-step synthesis.

Aluminium tri-hydroxide (ATH) powder was tested at 0 – 15% loading in epoxy resin (E51) in 4 mm sheets. Peak heat release rate was reduced by nearly 30% by 15% ATH compared to neat epoxy, total smoke release was reduced by nearly 18% and carbon monoxide production rate reduced by over 30%.

Vinyl ester resins (VER) are polymers offering mechanical performance, temperature resistance, good processing and chemical resistance, used in applications including pipelines, electrical insulation, automobile and aviation.

A research paper tests calcium hypophosphite (CaPi) and magnesium hypophosphite (MgPi) as PIN FRs for cotton fabrics, also with nano-particles of a clay and a silsesquioxane as synergists (sodium montmorillonite, octa-ammonium polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane POSS). CaPi showed slightly better flame retardant effectiveness (LOI 23 at 15% weight loading CaPi on cotton, compared to 21 with 14% MgPi and 18 for untreated cotton fabric).

Several leading materials fire scientists have proposed a dimensionless "Flame Retardance Index” for flame retarded (compounds), based on cone calorimetry data: pHRR (peak heat release rate), THR (total heat release) and TTI (time to ignition). Each of these reflects a different aspect of fire performance.

A phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardant for cotton was synthesised and tested, showing good washability without formaldehyde release, maintaining self-extinguishing (125 g/m2 fabric) after 50 laundering cycles.

ECHA (European Chemical Agency) has launched, open to 7th February 2020, a public consultation on a proposal to classify (CLH) melamine as Cat 2 carcinogen (H351 suspected carcinogen) STOT RE1 (specific target organ toxicity, H372 urinary tract), based on possible risks from oral intake.

The European Commission has a consultation, open to 30th January 2020, on restrictions of additional substances under the RoHS Regulation (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment), with assessments of TBBPA (tetrabromobisphenol-A), MCCPs (medium chain chlorinated paraffins) and ATO (diantimony oxide).

Nearly all of pinfa’s 31 members (flame retardant manufacturers and users) were present in Cologne, Germany, for the association’s second General Assembly of 2019. pinfa’s 2019 activities were discussed, as presented in the Annual Report here.

Invited participant at the pinfa General Assembly, Thomas Mayer-Gall, DTNW (German Textile Research Centre North-West), presented innovations under development for PIN FRs for textiles, and indicated the institute’s interest to associate with pinfa.

The NFPA (US National Fire Protection Association) standards committees NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000 (Life Safety Code, Building Construction and Safety Code) have agreed to extend fire safety standards to cover combustible objects “adjacent to buildings”, such as furniture and artificial vegetation.

Over 500 buildings will have to upgrade fire safety to respect proposed changes in the Fire Safety Act. The proposals also introduce new offences for contractors and for suppliers of non-compliant materials, with fines up to 100 000 S$ and two years imprisonment.

After a number of years of discussion, agreement has been reached to clarify fire safety testing requirements for Fire Retardant Treated Wood (FRTW), that is wood which is impregnated with fire safety products (usually in a pressure treatment).

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently considering proposed changes to fire protection regulations for aircraft interiors.

The UK Government has published (July 2019) its response to the 2017 public consultation on the updating of the 1988 UK Furniture Fire Safety Regulations (see pinfa Newsletter n°74).

The UK Government has published detailed response to the UK Parliamentary report recommendations on chemicals in consumer products (“Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life”, see pinfa Newsletter n°104).

A media release from three US environment NGOs claims that “hazardous” flame retardants were found in analysis of casings of six FireTVs (Insignia and Toshiba, purchased from Best Buy and from Amazon in the USA).

As part of the European Fire Safety Week 2019, the Modern Buildings Alliance (MBA) organised a meeting on building fire safety, with participants from the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as experts and stakeholders.

A paper from Indonesia underlines the threat of fire for high-density urban areas, with risks of both deaths and injuries, and considerable loss of both residential housing and economic activity.

74 people died in a fire on a train in Pakistan, Punjab Province, traveling from Karachi to Rawalpindi, on 31st October.

A study (two papers) from Belgium (1), shows that phosphorus flame retardants in LCD TV back covers are compatible with an optimal recycling strategy, identified as dismantling, take-back of the covers and reprocessing to new E&E parts.

A review from Australia summarises different routes for plastics recycling and current technology developments.