- Email: [email protected]
Silvergate plastics ltd
Additivesfor Polymers
the portfolio are Akzo Nobel’s high performance, water-based hardeners which, when combined with Air Products’ own Anquamine and Anquamide water-based hardener lines, will, it is said, position the company as a leading supplier of water-based curing agents. Air Products manufactures epoxy additives in Manchester, UK; Los Angeles, California and Curnberland, Rhode Island, USA. Contact: Air Products Plc, Hersham Place, Molesey Road, Walton-on-ThQmes, Surrey, KT12 4RZ, UK. Tel: +44-1932-249273. Fax: i-44-1 932-249786.
QUALITY ASSURED ACCREDITATION Silvergate Plastics Ltd Unit 53, Clywedog Road, South Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham, Clwyd, LL13 9XN. UK. This producer of colour masterbatch has achieved accreditation under EN IS0 9002 1994. The company employs a team of 50 and had a turnover of f4 million in 1994.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES BGA approval for biocide JMAC, the active ingredient in the new range of industrial b&ides from Johnson Matthey has recently received German BGVV (BGA) authorities approval. This covers indirect food contact applications, particularly coatings and resins for paper and fibre board. The JMAC products are potent biocides and yet non-hazardous even in their concentrated forms. The range is now redefining safety standards for industrial preservatives. In use
8
August 1995
JMAC is said to be proving particularly suited for industrial polymer emulsions. Contact: Johnson Matthey Chemicals, Gothic House, Barker Gate, Lace Market, Nottingham, NGl lJX, UK. Tel: i-44-1159521181. Fax: +44-115-9521281.
Dioxins The main health and environment issue that is impinging on halogen-based fire retardants relates to the possible formation of dioxin related products (brominated dioxins/furans) by brominated diphenyl ether (PBBE) under combustion conditions. (PBBEs are highly effective fire retardants that are widely used in high-impact polystyrene as well as polythene and polypropylene.) This was first identified in 1986 and the German chemicals industry association, the VCI, announced a voluntary phase out of such fire retardants in 1989. However, two years later, a proposed EC directive to ban PBBEs was blocked and in 1993 a Netherlands draft decree to regulate the production, marketing and use of the fire retardant was not ratified. The reason that these regulations were halted is that there is considerable evidence that PBBEs do not pose a health risk. There are 75 brominated dioxin ionomers and 135 brominated furan ionomers. Only a few of these are toxic. The toxic 2,3,7,8 ionomers are only present in low concentrations under combustion conditions and the formation of the less toxic furans is favoured over the In addition, brominated dioxins. dioxins/furans are less toxic than their chlorinated counterparts. Extensive testing of the combustion products of polymers containing PBBEs has indicated a low order of toxicity. The most recent include the regulatory developments
e1995 Elsevier Science Ltd
the portfolio are Akzo Nobel’s high performance, water-based hardeners which, when combined with Air Products’ own Anquamine and Anquamide water-based hardener lines, will, it is said, position the company as a leading supplier of water-based curing agents. Air Products manufactures epoxy additives in Manchester, UK; Los Angeles, California and Curnberland, Rhode Island, USA. Contact: Air Products Plc, Hersham Place, Molesey Road, Walton-on-ThQmes, Surrey, KT12 4RZ, UK. Tel: +44-1932-249273. Fax: i-44-1 932-249786.
QUALITY ASSURED ACCREDITATION Silvergate Plastics Ltd Unit 53, Clywedog Road, South Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham, Clwyd, LL13 9XN. UK. This producer of colour masterbatch has achieved accreditation under EN IS0 9002 1994. The company employs a team of 50 and had a turnover of f4 million in 1994.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES BGA approval for biocide JMAC, the active ingredient in the new range of industrial b&ides from Johnson Matthey has recently received German BGVV (BGA) authorities approval. This covers indirect food contact applications, particularly coatings and resins for paper and fibre board. The JMAC products are potent biocides and yet non-hazardous even in their concentrated forms. The range is now redefining safety standards for industrial preservatives. In use
8
August 1995
JMAC is said to be proving particularly suited for industrial polymer emulsions. Contact: Johnson Matthey Chemicals, Gothic House, Barker Gate, Lace Market, Nottingham, NGl lJX, UK. Tel: i-44-1159521181. Fax: +44-115-9521281.
Dioxins The main health and environment issue that is impinging on halogen-based fire retardants relates to the possible formation of dioxin related products (brominated dioxins/furans) by brominated diphenyl ether (PBBE) under combustion conditions. (PBBEs are highly effective fire retardants that are widely used in high-impact polystyrene as well as polythene and polypropylene.) This was first identified in 1986 and the German chemicals industry association, the VCI, announced a voluntary phase out of such fire retardants in 1989. However, two years later, a proposed EC directive to ban PBBEs was blocked and in 1993 a Netherlands draft decree to regulate the production, marketing and use of the fire retardant was not ratified. The reason that these regulations were halted is that there is considerable evidence that PBBEs do not pose a health risk. There are 75 brominated dioxin ionomers and 135 brominated furan ionomers. Only a few of these are toxic. The toxic 2,3,7,8 ionomers are only present in low concentrations under combustion conditions and the formation of the less toxic furans is favoured over the In addition, brominated dioxins. dioxins/furans are less toxic than their chlorinated counterparts. Extensive testing of the combustion products of polymers containing PBBEs has indicated a low order of toxicity. The most recent include the regulatory developments
e1995 Elsevier Science Ltd