Dow grants first technology license to Great Lakes Solutions, a
Chemtura business
Dow Global Technologies LLC (DGTL), a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical
Company (NYSE: DOW), today announced the invention and development
of a new, high molecular weight brominated Polymeric Flame Retardant
(Polymeric FR). The Polymeric FR is expected to be the ‘next
generation industry standard’ flame retardant for use in both
extruded polystyrene (XPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam
insulation applications globally. The development of the new
Polymeric FR is the result of Dow’s continuing search for more
sustainable products and in this case for a flame retardant that can
replace hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD).
Phased Commercialization Plans by Licensees
Today, DGTL also announced the first license agreement with Chemtura
Corporation (NYSE: CHMT). This first license agreement makes it
possible for Great Lakes Solutions, a Chemtura business, to produce
and sell the newly developed Polymeric FR for use in XPS and EPS
foam. DGTL is currently engaged in advanced licensing discussions
with several other interested companies and expects to finalize
these agreements by the end of the year. DGTL expects this will
enable global supply security, foster market competition and help
facilitate a smooth industry conversion to the new technology as EPS
and XPS manufacturers adopt Polymeric FR, thereby becoming the new
global standard.
To enable formulation optimizations and market qualifications, it is
expected that Polymeric FR licensees will have interim quantities
available throughout 2011. This will be followed, likely in 2012, by
large plant construction by the licensees, making significantly
larger commercial volumes available by 2013-2015 that are in line
with the current HBCD market demand. This should allow the global
polystyrene foam insulation industry to make a smooth transition, as
national regulations are implemented.
The development of Dow’s Polymeric FR technology comes against the
backdrop of an ongoing search for more sustainable products and
pending regulatory restrictions on HBCD initiated by the European
Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of
Chemical (REACH) substances program and several other national
regulations.
Breakthrough Sustainable Chemistry
The Polymeric FR is a stable, high molecular weight, Non-PBT
(Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic) substance that has been
subjected to an extensive and robust Environment, Health & Safety
(EH&S) testing regimen and evaluation, confirming a more sustainable
profile. Furthermore, it provides a fire safety solution for EPS and
XPS foams to enable these thermal insulation materials to continue
to meet the increasing demands of global energy efficiency
regulations.
Dow’s Polymeric FR technology is the result of several years of
research and development efforts, including significant investments
led by The Dow Chemical Company that leverage the company’s polymer,
chemistry, and process science and applications know-how and EH&S
expertise. Dow has worked with potential licensees to validate the
technology and enable them to start scaling up a commercially viable
production process.
Further updates and statements will be shared by DGTL and DGTL
licensees in the future.
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