Dow grants third and final license for new Polymeric Flame Retardant to Albemarle
Global supply of new Polymeric Flame Retardant making it the industry standard
MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dow Global Technologies LLC (DGTL), a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), today announced a third and final license agreement for its Polymeric Flame Retardant (Polymeric FR) technology with Albemarle Corporation.
Albemarle is a global leader in the development and production of flame retardants, and its commitment to this new technology, as the third and final licensee, validates the selection of the Polymeric FR as the new global industry standard flame retardant in the production of extruded polystyrene (XPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foams.
In March, 2011, DGTL announced the invention and development of the Polymeric FR – a stable, high molecular weight, non-PBT (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic) substance. The additive provides a fire safety solution for XPS and EPS foams enabling these thermal insulation materials to continue to meet the increasing demands of global energy efficiency regulations and sustainable building design.
“The Polymeric FR has become the ‘next generation industry standard’ flame retardant for use in both XPS and EPS foam insulation applications globally,” said Mark Whiteman, President Dow Global Technologies. “The development and licensing of the Polymeric FR is the result of years of research and development that leveraged Dow’s polymer chemistry, process science, applications know-how, and Environment, Health & Safety expertise. The development is also driven by Dow’s on-going journey to identify and develop more sustainable products and technologies designed to meet customer needs.”
Securing global supply
Having three international licensees to produce and market the new Polymeric FR, assures global supply security and facilitates industry conversion to the new technology as XPS and EPS manufacturers’ transition to the Polymeric FR. The Polymeric FR licensees have planned large plant constructions enabling commercial volumes to become available over the coming months and years. This enables the global polystyrene foam insulation industry to make a smooth transition to the Polymeric FR.
The development of Dow’s Polymeric FR technology comes against the backdrop of an ongoing effort to develop and implement more sustainable products amid 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.
About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
About Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services. The Company is committed to global sustainability and is advancing its eco-practices and solutions in its three business segments, Polymer Solutions, Catalysts and Fine Chemistry. Corporate Responsibility Magazine selected Albemarle to its prestigious “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list for 2010 and 2011. Albemarle employs approximately 4,000 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.
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