Over forty representatives of pinfa companies discussed flame retardant and plastics chemicals policy, regulation and LCA at pinfa’s General Assembly, in Cologne, Germany, and online, on 3rd June 2024.
Anna Ossalinska, CarbonMinds, presented work underway for the European commission to develop coherent LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) data for EU Environmental Footprints for chemicals and for bio-based materials. Some 400 chemicals are initially being considered, including a few PIN FRs. pinfa will make coordinated input, in addition to input from pinfa member companies.
Nina Lazic, European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), presented EU work underway to gather information on alternatives to aromatic brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which are under assessment for possible ‘Restriction’ under REACH (EU chemicals regulation). Information is being collected on possible alternatives to these BFRs in different applications and polymers (in particular in electronics and automobiles), including possible emissions from articles or hazards of alternative FRs. A report is expected to be finalised and delivered to the European Commission by early 2025, enabling the Commission to then possibly engage the REACH restriction process for these brominated FRs. pinfa is coordinating input on non-halogenated flame retardants and their applications.
The General Assembly discussed the ongoing United Nations discussions of a globally binding treaty on chemicals in plastics (UNEP INC-4), see pinfa Newsletter n°160. Proposals currently on the table could impact many chemicals used to produce performance plastics and composites, with proposed bans or restrictions on various chlorinated and brominated flame retardants, or on all chemicals with certain environmental or health risks, as well as possible bans of all use of certain plastics polymers in packaging. pinfa is following this closely and providing information, via Cefic and the International Council of Chemicals Associations (ICCA), see pinfa Newsletter n°157.
The General Assembly also updated on pinfa technical work underway, including studies on environmental behaviour of melamine derivative and phosphorus PIN FRs, testing methods for inorganic chemicals (appropriate consideration of particle size), upcycling of secondary FR plastics (performance re-compounding for recycling), as well as communications actions in Europe, North America (pinfa-NA), China (pinfa China) and worldwide.