The pinfa-NA – SPE formulators’ training engaged around 90 participants, with strong interest in PIN FR developments. Led by plastics and compounding expert Roger Avakian, the four online sessions (4 x 2 hours), co-organised by pinfa North America and SPE (Society of Plastics Engineers) in June 2021, addressed in depth fire behaviour of materials and fire safety tests, non-halogenated flame retardant chemistry, flame retardant selection for different polymers, (in particular formulation of elastomers, thermosets, textiles, coatings), new developments and sustainability.
Participants from companies formulating polymer compounds were able to ask detailed questions concerning PIN FR solutions for specific materials to achieve different fire safety test standards, as well as questions about industry trends and technical developments.
The participant survey concludes that this training series is seen as a valuable and unique opportunity to find, in one place, full, objective technical information on different FR formulations, including case studies and examples.
Participants showed particular interest in:
- low-smoke solutions and PIN smoke suppressant synergists
- gas-phase PIN FRs
- thermally stable PIN FRs for high temperature processing
- polymeric/oligomeric or reactive PIN FRs
- specific PIN FR solutions for polyolefins.
More generally, participants are also looking for sustainability information on PIN FRs, in particular on Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and recycling.
Overall, this first session of formulator trainings showed to be a success, with demand to now develop the workshops for Europe and Asia, by including case studies and information on relevant standards and tests. SPE (Society of Plastics Engineers) view the webinar series as an outstanding success and are using it as a template for other webinars on specific polymer subjects.
Four training sessions: 1st, 8th, 15th, 21st June 2021.