Patent Filed for Non-Halogen Flame Retardant for PC and Alloys

FRX Innovations has filed a new patent for its Nofia flame retardant for PC and its alloys for what the company believes and customer feedback supports will be a breakthrough in key application areas ranging from consumer electronics and EVs to home appliances and industrial parts specifically meeting or exceeding the rigid fire retardant requirements for PC and its alloys.

Targeting manufacturers of PC resins, compounds and masterbatches, FRX says it Nofia flame retardant is free of the increasingly banned “forever” chemicals PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and allows for completely PFAS-free formulations in polycarbonate. According to FRX, major OEMs are taking the view that the well-known anti-drip, PTFE, should also be replaced as part of the move away from PFAS chemicals. Replacing that additive and maintaining the necessary flame-retardant properties has proved elusive, until now.

Work carried out by FRX’s technical team has now demonstrated that this tough goal is achievable, while also maintaining other imperative properties such as impact resistance. The ability to achieve transparent formulations has also been demonstrated. OEMs such as Apple and IKEA have committed that their products be PFAS free in PC and its blends, that has meant replacing the well-known PFAS chemical KPFBS, otherwise known as Rimar salt, which FRX has already demonstrated a capability to do.

Flame retardant PC is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.5%, according to Industry Growth Insights, and it forms part of the $1.5B PC sheet market as estimated by Allied Market Research in June 2022. The global flame-retardant market is forecasted to be more than $10B by 2024, according to a Market Watch report published in December 2022. FRX says it is extremely well placed with its existing global customer base and growing interest from other global players to pursue business both with the large PC resin producers and the many compounders specializing in PC blends and alloys in all major markets.