From Global Policy Regulations all the way to Product Features
Halogen-Free Flame Retardant (FR) additives are needed in every electrical product design. They are also critical factors in any consumer's home or office products. From lawn furniture to children's toys, any plastic used which can catch fire needs to be retardant and not emit toxic fumes. In building construction, we can't imagine a world without plastic tubing (PVC) isolation and fire-retardant properties. We also can't imagine a world without all the safety human and environmental halogen-free flame-retardant products bring to us. This is the push many manufacturers feel when reducing the halogen emitting properties in materials.
Cutting edge halogen-free flame-retardant plastics supply important safety capability with UL94 or glow-wire combustion retardant properties. While still meeting strict requirements of engineered materials.
In addition, halogen-free flame retardant materials have the advantage of being less destructive than traditional flame-retardant formulations, lessening their effect on production tooling and electrical devices. Lower material densities yield more parts to be produced using less material. Essentially decreased production cost. Decreasing smoke production makes non-halogenated flame-retardant final products appropriate for closed-in spaces.
Plastics Additive Regulatory Policy Is Becoming Global
Human and Environmental Safety (HES) concerns have developed beyond the local state and regional market impact of simple warning labels into regulatory body legislative enactments. With government regulations, influence reaches global proportions. The European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) we see the start of an overall appreciation of the importance of HES thinking. Numerous regulatory bodies around the world have since endorsed comparable policies. With an end goal to aligning worldwide producers and standards organizations in similar policy initiatives, regulators are leading a different approach. Additive companies with global reach are gradually adopting regulations from one region and making this a truly global solution.
End Product Features
All the engineering material design, molecular modeling, and manufacturing efficiency are focused at the final product capability. End product features, for a car dashboard electrical component or a resilient long-lasting outdoor water bottle, will eventually give people the enjoyment and functionality they desire. This brings us to end product features when developing a masterbatch additive. In all plastic products, halogen-free flame retardants are invisible but expected to work well.
Key attributes for additives:
- Meet consumer demand for "green" products.
- Produce a single product that can be sold globally.
- Formulations to meet UL94 or glow wire specifications.
- Fully compliant with RoHS and most environmental regulations.
- Product safety without compromising engineering performance.
