Citation
(2009), "EPA Honors Clariant's Exolit® OP 560 flame-retardant's pollution prevention potential", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 38 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2009.12938fab.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
EPA Honors Clariant's Exolit® OP 560 flame-retardant's pollution prevention potential
EPA Honors Clariant's Exolit® OP 560 flame-retardant's pollution prevention potential
Article Type: Environment and safety From: Pigment & Resin Technology, Volume 38, Issue 6
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Clariant its New Chemicals Program P2 Recognition Project Award for the company's Exolit® OP 560, a new-generation non-halogenated flame-retardant. The product, is made by Clariant's Pigments & Additives Division for polyurethane foams in automotive, furniture and consumer applications. This is the second time in two years that Clariant has won the EPA honor, given to products that offer innovative chemistry and significant pollution prevention potential. Clariant's Paper business received the P2 Recognition Project Award in 2008 for Cartaspers PSM, a product used in paper manufacturing. EPA gave only four P2 Recognition awards this year. Award winners are selected from among all new chemicals submitted to the agency for registration and for which manufacturing or import commenced in the USA during 2008. Exolit® OP 560 is a product of Clariant's Pigments & Additives Division. The award-winning chemicals are identified through EPA's New Chemicals Program, which screens up to 2,500 chemicals a year through the pre-manufacture notice P2 screening process as well as during more detailed new chemical reviews. In selecting products to recognize under the program, EPA says it looks for products that promote source reduction as well as safety goals, “in particular when the innovative chemistries substitute for existing chemicals posing greater risks.” In recognizing Clariant's Exolit® OP 560, EPA specifically cited its halogen-free “unique chemistry (that) allows maximum flame retardant efficiency without the release of potentially toxic gases into the atmosphere when combusted or the production of dangerous halogenated by-products upon degradation or combustion.” Mark Self, market segment manager for special applications in Clariant's Pigments & Additives Division, says Exolit® OP 560 is unique as an efficient flame retardant that offers low-dosage to meet current industry fire safety standards. “We are particularly proud of the innovation behind this achievement,” says Self, “because of the human-health and environmental benefits it offers.” He notes that, “Exolit® OP 560 is a reactive flame-retardant that will chemically bind to the polymer instead of just being mixed into it. Therefore, it cannot evaporate or migrate out of the polymer. This benign environmental profile is also often recognized by ecolabel programs.” In contrast to traditional flame-retardants containing such halogens as bromine or chlorine, Exolit® OP 560 is halogen-free. “The flame protection mechanism involves the condensed phase of the combustion cycle and by-products are mainly contained within the char layer,” Self says. As a result, corrosive gases are eliminated and there is less smoke. “Traditional halogenated flame-retardants release potentially toxic gases into the atmosphere when combusted and can produce halogenated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans. The unique chemistry in Exolit® OP 560 allows maximum flame-retardant efficiency without the serious drawbacks associated with halogenated materials.”
For further information, contact the EPA's dedicated web site: www.epa.gov/oppt/newchems/pubs/p2.htm