What are the emerging trends in flame-retardant compounds? From halogen-free materials to recycled solutions, the sector is moving towards integrated sustainability and performance.
New Requirements for Flame-Retardant Compounds
The demand for flame-retardant materials is constantly evolving, driven by stricter regulations, ecological transition, and new high-tech applications.
Today, the flame-retardant compound industry faces a dual challenge: improving the environmental profile of formulations while ensuring safety and functional reliability.
Farewell to Halogens and Red Phosphorus: towards Safer Compounds
One of the most marked trends concerns the elimination of substances considered problematic for health and the environment, such as:
- halides (bromine and chlorine),
- red phosphorus,
- critical synergists.
These components, although effective in improving flame resistance, raise serious questions in terms of ecotoxicity, harmful emissions in case of fire, and disposal complications.
The new generations of halogen-free flame retardant compounds focus on systems with lower environmental impact and the best compromise in terms of performance.
The Performance Challenge: Glow Wire and Thermal Stability
The glow wire resistance (GWT – Glow Wire Test) and thermal stability during processing represent two of the main critical points for new-generation flame retardant formulations.
Many “green” materials have not yet achieved the same performance as traditional compounds with halogens or phosphorus.
However, there are significant technical advantages to consider:
- high resistance to surface currents (CTI ≥ 600V)
- greater compatibility with critical high-voltage environments
- ideal use in sectors such as e-mobility, appliances and power electronics
Recycled Flame Retardants: Reality and Limitations
Another central trend is the use of recycled raw materials in flame-retardant compounds:
- post-consumer or post-industrial polymers
- mechanically recycled reinforcements
These materials pose significant challenges in terms of:
- base polymer performance
- lower mechanical and thermal resistance
- difficulty in maintaining UL94 V0 class or GWIT above 775°C
However, when using chemically recycled polymers or feedstock from sustainable sources, the polymer structure is rebuilt from scratch, with a significantly lower impact on the final properties of the compound.
Multifunctionality: Flame-Retardant Materials and Advanced Performance
The market increasingly demands multifunctional flame-retardant compounds capable of:
- conducting electricity or heat
- self-lubricating
- shielding electromagnetic waves (EMI shielding)
These hybrid formulations require the integration of various functional additives: flame retardants, conductive agents, self-lubricants, shielding agents, reinforcements…
The balance is complex: it’s necessary to preserve processability, mechanical performance, compound homogeneity, flame performance and competitive costs.
Conclusion: a New Generation of Flame-Retardant Compounds
The future of flame-retardant materials depends on responsible innovation: reducing environmental impact without compromising safety, and enabling new functions without sacrificing reliability.
Developing sustainable and high-performance flame-retardant compounds will be key to addressing the challenges of energy transition, electrification, and circular economy.
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