Bromine-free synthetic hair fibers from flame retardant polymer

New synthetic hair fibers that are easy to curl, tangle-free and easily blended with human hair are made available with the launch of Uno & Company Ltd.'s (UNO) synthetic hair fibers using bromine-free Nofia flame retardants (FR) from FRX Polymers Inc. These fibers for wigs and weaves, called Unolon-Eco and SF-Remi, offer a range of new advantages. Nofia flame retardant is a commercially available polymeric additive used in diverse industries such as electronics, building and construction, transportation, and textiles.

Both Uno & Co. and FRX Polymers also announced that the new synthetic fibers have been commercially adopted by one of the industry’s leading brand owners in synthetic hair, Royal Imex, Santa Fe Springs, Calif., and will be featured under the brand name First. Royal Imex is the first brand owner worldwide to adopt the bromine-free, eco-friendly based fibers produced by Uno. Likewise, Uno is the first synthetic hair fiber producer to offer bromine-free synthetic hair fibers based on FRX Polymers’ Nofia polymeric flame retardant additive.

During its first large-scale test marketing campaign in 2015, Royal Imex’s First by Zury product was extremely well received and sold out. The product was extensively tested by hair stylists and received excellent reviews for its softness, curling ability, human hair-like touch and feel and the fact that it utilized a hand-tied silk closure.

Propelled by the successful launch of first-generation Unolon-Eco synthetic hair fibers, Nofia-based bromine-free SF-Remi synthetic hair fibers have been specially formulated as a sequel to provide the best ever completely tangle-free performance. Like Unolon-Eco, SF-Remi offers high temperature resistance (200°C) for use with curling irons and low specific gravity (1.34g/cm3) compared to bromine-based FR hair fiber, which allows it to blend easily with human hair. High-performance SF-Remi also passes stringent FR flammability testing and its water absorption properties gives it excellent touch and feel making it indistinguishable compared to human hair. The UNO and FRX Polymers technical teams, led respectively by Seung Min Oh and Dr. Youmi Jeong, collaborated closely in the development of these groundbreaking products.

Some traditional brominated flame retardants have been discontinued due to their toxicity, bioaccumulation in humans, non-degradable nature, and the release of dioxins during fire events. Nofia flame retardant is the first phosphorus-based polymeric (plastic) flame retardant additive which is both highly effective as a flame retardant while also having a highly favorable toxicological profile. The fact that it is melt processible in its own right, makes Nofia flame retardant particularly well suited for difficult-to-process applications like fiber spinning. Unlike competitive liquid and powder-based flame retardants that tend to migrate out of the plastic over time, Nofia flame retardants will not migrate out. Its chemical structure and polymeric nature make it a better choice for many consumer products that are used regularly like wigs, weaves, or hair extensions.