Bans on brominated flame retardant unlock Halogen-free market

FRX Innovations will benefit greatly due to the recent adoption by Washington State of its Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting rulemaking. Washington State confirmed that it would go through with the expansion of the ban on Brominated Flame Retardants to include all electronic and electrical appliances used inside homes.

“FRX’s Nofia flame retardant is non-leaching, halogen-free and is able to deliver improved technical properties beyond flame retardancy in many applications,” said Marc Lebel, CEO of FRX Innovations. “Nofia®, which is already in use in a wide variety of applications, are proven ready to replace brominated flame retardants in almost all polymers used in the electrical and electronic products affected by this rulemaking.”

BSEF – The International Bromine Council reported, “With an average of over 20 electronic and electrical appliances in homes, it is essential that the plastic components do not pose a fire risk for homes or consumers during their use, particularly given that electrical devices routinely carry electric currents and thus generate heat as a by-product. Flame retardants help prevent ignition and slow fires, thereby protecting property and saving lives.”

“FRX products are ready to replace brominated flame retardants in almost all plastics used in electrical and electronic products affected by this rulemaking,” said Lebel. “Today, no company needs to use a brominated flame retardant for any normal end use, there are alternatives available, and in a great many cases, Nofia Flame Retardants from FRX will be the product of choice.”

A January 2022 law passed by New York state similarly banned brominated flame retardants from the outside parts of televisions and monitors; this new action by Washington State extends that to include all electrical and electronic goods within the home, with an additional obligation to report use in products for outside the home.

Various market studies estimate the total sales of brominated flame retardants at about $4.5bn per year, these flame retardants often used with a type of synergist called ATO. FRX estimates that around $1.5bn of combined brominated flame retardant and its synergist will eventually be phased out starting now and accelerating over the next 36 months. Other legislation restricting toxic flame retardants is expected in the next months which will increase the opportunities for safer flame retardants like Nofia®. “We are perfectly placed to take advantage of these changes, " continued Lebel, "we are already discussing expansion of our existing factory in Antwerp and ways to broaden our manufacturing footprint globally.”

FRX is in commercial production at its fully permitted facility in Antwerp, Belgium, where it currently supplies Nofia Flame Retardant Polymers to a growing number of multinational OEMs around the world.