Directions for Flame Retardant Research and Product Development Environmental Summit New Orleans, May 2007 Ray Dawson Albemarle Corporation

How do Flame Retardants work? Three components are necessary for fire: Three components are necessary for fire: –Fuel –Heat –Oxygen Flame retardants interfere with the availability of one or more of these factors in the generation of fire. Flame retardants interfere with the availability of one or more of these factors in the generation of fire.

FR Mechanisms Physical and Chemical Effects Physical and Chemical Effects –Vapor phase active FRS –Condensed phase active FRS –Combination of both FR action is not an instantaneous single event, but a combination of events over a wide range of temperature

Types of FR Additives Halogenated FRs. Halogenated FRs. –Mainly bromine containing, some chlorine. Phosphorus containing FRs. Phosphorus containing FRs. –Mainly phosphates Inorganic Materials. Inorganic Materials. –Primary FRs and Synergists Other additives. Other additives. –Nitrogen, boron based & others.

Criteria for FR selection For a given resin FR criteria : For a given resin FR criteria : –Provide adequate flame-retardancy –Thermal stability relative to polymer stability –Maintain physical characteristics to acceptable level in use & over time –Cost effectiveness –Ease of use –Environmental impact –Human Health impact –End of Life issues

Environmental & Health Impact Need broad consideration Need broad consideration –Basic evaluation of the candidate itself »Testing & modeling »Product form –Raw material & manufacturing implications –Breakdown products –Down stream use –End of life

Environmental & Health Impact Atom efficiency Atom efficiency Energy efficiency Energy efficiency Minimize emissions potential Minimize emissions potential –Product form –Reactive candidates –VECAP Recyclability Recyclability –Resin –Chemical recovery –Energy recovery