NEWS
P-ester / magnesium synergy for wood FR
Cyclic phosphate ester was reacted with magnesium hydroxide (1 – 6 %) and then tested with melamine formaldehyde and pentaerythritol (at ratios 1:1 to 1:4) as a flame retardant coating on 4 mm plywood (250 g/m2 coating).
READ MORESilica aerogel as FR and smoke suppressant
Polyurethane insulation foam (PUF) was surface treated with silica (SiO2), by acid and alkali hydrolysis, then lyophilised to generate a silica aerogel at 13 – 33% w/w loading on the foam.
READ MOREFRPM Conference 2019
FRPM 2019, the 17th conference on Flame Retardant Polymeric Materials, brought together in Turku, 26-28 June 2019, some 220 participants worldwide. The conference showcased a wide range of R&D int...
READ MOREEnvironmental challenges
Steve Hollins, ECHA (European Chemical Agency), suggested that industry should be proactive in substituting chemicals which are flagged as possibly problematic on any of the different ECHA ‘early warning’ lists, such as PACT (public activities coordination tool), CoRAP, or have been assessed in an RMOA (risk management option analysis).
READ MOREPhosphorus FRs
Sabyasachi Gaan, EMPA Switzerland, presented development of DOPO derivative phosphorus PIN FRs for use in synthetic and bio-based polymers, from research through to industrial production: DOPO phosphphonamides (EDA-DOPO = 6,6'-(Ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl))bis(dibenzo[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinine-6-oxide)), today REACH registered and entering commercialisation by Metadynea; DOPO-PEPA (PEPA = 1-oxo-4-hydroxymethyl-2,6,7-trioxa-l-phosphabicyclo[2.2.2] octane), REACH registration underway, for application in polyester and polyolefins, under development with JET-Aviation for non-halogenated fire safety of wood products for aviation applications; and triazine DOPO, under development with BRUAG.
READ MOREResearch into bio-based PIN flame retardants
Xin Wang, University of Science and Technology of China, presented proposed PIN FRs derived from bio-based cardanol, tested in epoxies, including by reaction with organic phosphorus chemicals such as phosphaphenanthrene or benzoxazine, with zirconium phosphate, in combination with boron graphene nanosheets and in layered double hydroxides.
READ MOREResearching new FR coating technologies
Bartosz Weclawski, University of Bolton, UK, presented research into use of plasma technology based on an atmospheric pressure plasma and high power UV laser. Multiplexed Laser Surface Enhancement (MLSE from MTIX Ltd., UK) can bond fire retardant precursors physico-chemically and even covalently into a fabric, followed by plasma/UV, so avoiding the conventional wet processing cycles.
READ MOREFire safety for wood and timber
In the wood and timber sectors, Teknos’ industrial customers today are looking for ‘green’ coating and treatment solutions: water based, VOC emissions free, non-halogenated and if possible bio-based. In the construction sector, demand for fire safety treatments is increasing, especially for public buildings, with today also demand for low smoke (Euroclass).
READ MOREFire safety for polyurethanes
Rolf Albach, Covestro Covestro sees fire safety as an increasing challenge in all applications of plastic foams, in particular in buildings, where such foams offer the best insulation performance, cost effectiveness and adaptability of materials available.
READ MOREInnovative FRs for textiles and fibre-compounds
Jelena Vasiljević, University of Ljubljana, presented tests of three DOPO derivatives as additive PIN FRs in polyamide 6 fibres. The FRs were added in the caprolactam melt before polyamide polymerisation.
READ MORERecycling flame retardant plastics
Jürgen Troitzsch, Fire and Environmental Protection Services, summarised the opportunities for the circular economy for plastics and implications for flame retardants.
READ MOREChallenges for FRs in applications and products
Flame retardants are of increasing interest to Industry, in response to a worldwide increase in fire safety and environment awareness. Sustainability is a key requirement in fire safety, meaning environmentally friendly products, based on green chemistry, green production, and compatible with recycling.
READ MOREResearch into new flame retardant solutions
De-Yi Wang, IMDEA Materials Institute, Madrid, presented different approaches to develop specific nano-materials and architectures as PIN flame retardants in different polymers and the complexity of understanding the mechanisms involved.
READ MOREFire testing and modelling
Richard Lyon, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), presented work underway by an FAA/industry working group to use milligrams of sample in a microscale combustion calorimeter to compare the fire performance of components (e.g., adhesives, films, potting compounds, fibers, etc.) used in aircraft cabin materials.
READ MOREPrizewinning posters
From the more than 70 posters presented at FRPM 2019, the scientific committee designated three prizewinners, summarised below:
READ MOREPrizewinners’ visions for flame retardants tomorrow
Pinfa asked the poster prizewinners at FRPM to express their vision of challenges for fire safety and for flame retardants for tomorrow.
READ MOREHorizon Europe public consultation
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on Horizon Europe, closing 8th September 2019, including inviting comments on the proposed “Orientations” document which will define the content of Horizon Europe (thematic funding, Missions, Partnerships …).
READ MOREUS EPA consults on bans on DecaBDE and PIP
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published, for public comment to 27th September 2019, a proposal to ban the manufacture, import, processing or sale of products to which DecaBDE and of PIP (phenol isoporopylated phosphate 3:1) have been added, with the exception of aircraft and aerospace, replacement (for DecaBDE) or new (for PIP) automotive parts and recycling of DecaBDE-containing plastics.
READ MOREEFSA consultation on chlorinated paraffins in food
The European Food Safety Agency has opened a public consultation to 17th September 2019 on risks to human and animal health from chlorinated paraffin contamination in food and feed.
READ MOREICL becomes member of pinfa
We are very excited to join pinfa, said Yaniv Kabalek, Senior Vice President, Flame Retardants at ICL. A global specialty minerals and chemicals company, ICL operates bromine, potash, and phosphate mineral value chains in a unique, integrated business model.
READ MOREUK Parliament report on “Toxic Chemicals”
The UK Parliament (Environmental Audit Committee) has published its report on “Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life”, following a Parliamentary public enquiry process (see pinfa Newsletter n°102).
READ MOREUK Government Advice on HPL claddings
The UK Government has issued an official “Advice Note” to building owners concerned by HPL (high pressure laminate) panels in external wall systems, to be read in complement to the December 2018 Advice Note on panel systems.
READ MOREQueensland State to ban “flammable cladding”
The Government of Queensland State, Australia, has announced that it will regulate to ban “flammable cladding” on all new buildings.
READ MOREScotland updates to building fire regulations
The Scottish Government has published updates to building standards, applicable for building work permitted or starting after 1/10/2019, including significant new requirements for fire safety.
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