Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Chemtura | Subject: Firemaster 550
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 12 November 2003
New-generation flame retardant is
greener
Following the success of its new generation of flame retardants, Great Lakes Chemical Corp is to cease production of penta- and octa- polybrominated diphenyl ether by the end of 2004.
Following the success of its new generation of flame retardants, Great Lakes Chemical Corp is to cease production of two of its widely used flame retardant chemicals, penta- and octa- polybrominated diphenyl ether, by the end of 2004 Great Lakes will replace Penta-PBDE with a new product called Firemaster 550
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 16 Mar 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The voluntary phase-out of penta and octa follows the US Environmental Protection Acency's assessment that the penta replacement has a favourable environmental profile, in that it is not persistent, bioaccumulative and ecotoxic.
In addition, tests have shown that Firemaster 550 is highly effective in providing flame retardant protection to foam products like those commonly found in furniture.
Firemaster 550 also meets or exceeds the UL94 (Underwriters Laboratory Flammability Standard) and California Technical Bulletin 117 flame retardancy standards.
"Firemaster 550 is the first in a new generation of environmentally responsive solutions that exceed the highest of standards for fire safety performance", said Mark Bulriss, CEO of Great Lakes Chemical Corp.
"Years of scientific study have demonstrated that our current range of fire retardant chemicals for foam and plastics is both safe and effective.
These products have saved thousands of lives.
However, due to the effectiveness of this new product, Great Lakes is in a position to proactively work with customers to transition away from Penta-PBDE in an orderly manner years ahead of schedule".
Great Lakes has led the effort to develop the next generation of cost-effective, environmentally responsive, fire safety endorsed flame retardants.
The EPA's assessment, combined with exhaustive internal reviews and technological breakthroughs by Great Lakes, made the accelerated phase-out of Penta-PBDE possible.
Firemaster 550 has commercial applications beyond those of the products it will replace.
Because of its physical properties, Firemaster 550 can now be used as a flame retardant in foams found in automobile headliners, sneakers, padding commonly used on beds, packaging foams, and insulation and acoustic foams.
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