Clariant and Shinkong share vision for sustainability; jointly promote non-halogenated FR for broader applications

Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, will broaden its collaboration with Engineering Plastics division of Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corp to promote Clariant's non-halogenated flame retardants (FR) to a host of applications in China. Shinkong Engineering Plastics belongs to Taiwan’s top three enterprise, Shinkong Group. As a leading supplier of plastics, it serves various industries including electronics, home appliances and automotive etc. Its halogen-free compounds based on Clariant's FRs are experiencing rising demand as more and more OEM manufacturers in the electronics and electrical appliances industry eliminate components with bromine and PVC from their products because of tightening environmental regulations.

"The collaboration with Shinkong will certainly help Clariant broaden its distribution horizon for non-halogenated flame retardants. Leveraging Shinkong's extensive portfolio of leading customers within the segments of home appliances, automotive, electronics and electrical parts, Clariant's flame retardants will find new room for application expansion, especially in China," explains Darren Soo, Head of Sales Greater China, Clariant Business Unit Additives.

Clariant's halogen-free FR, Exolit OP,was first introduced to Shinkong 13 years ago for innovative polyester compound development. After its commercialisation in 2005, Shinkong was the first company in the Greater China region to promote halogen-free PBT compounds. Exolit OP 1240 has been used by Shinkong ever since.

Clariant's Exolit OP phosphinate FRs offer high thermal stability and best in class CTI (Comparative Tracking Index) performance. Applications range from high temperature polyamides for lead-free soldering via engineering thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers for wire and cables to thermoset epoxy adhesives for printed wiring boards.

With tailor-made formulations for a variety of polymers fully available for commercial products, the Exolit OP series offers good versatility for a host of applications, such as computer cooling fans, connectors and other electrical parts.

On the sustainability side, the phosphinates are scientifically proven from a toxicological and environmental point of view. All tests of these products underline their sound environmental performance, as well as safety levels in line with a rising industry standard on greener materials. “Many countries around the world today are working to reduce their carbon dioxide emission in the wake of climate change. Shinkong and Clariant share the same goal of sustainability and have been working together to help drive the industry towards healthier and more sustainable development. In essence, Shinkong’s Shinite F116 compound, using recycled PET bottles (PCM/post-consumer material) with Clariant Exolit OP halogen-free FRs, not only achieves UL94 V-O level fire protection, but is also environmentally compatible,” says Samson Lo, President of Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Corp.

Both companies are showcasing at K016 and will jointly promote halogen-free FR solutions in PBT and PA66, both commonly used in computer components. Moreover, they will be extending their collaboration further to include TPE-E compounds for extrusion wire and cable and injection parts in the future. The two companies say that they share vision on sustainability and have also widened their scope of future cooperation to include new areas such as flame retardant application for electric cars and their charging facilities.

As a specialty chemicals company with full dedication to product R&D, Clariant is continuously creating and rejuvenating its global network of IP rights on phosphinates. Clariant’s patents cover the main areas of manufacturing and applications of Exolit OP, which secure the Freedom to Operate (FTO) for Clariant and its customers worldwide.