CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After a ground breaking ceremony 3 years ago, followed by the construction of a factory building, machine installation and start-up, pre-production and moving to full production phase, FRX Polymers' Antwerp commercial production plant was officially inaugurated this summer.
In recent years FRX Polymers has taken several important steps towards making its flame retardant polymers available globally. Nofia replaces halogenated flame retardants, which are widely used and are being phased out due to toxicity concerns. Nofia products have been registered globally and have a very favorable toxicological profile. The Environmental Protection Agency recognized FRX as an example of an innovative New England company making a real difference by making products that reduce risks to human health and reduce environmental damage while simultaneously delivering fire safety. The company has been awarded numerous awards and recognitions, including the Flanders’ Investment of the Year Award, the Frost and Sullivan Innovation Award, being named to the top 3 of Global Cleantech’s 100 list, chosen from 6000 private companies nominated worldwide, and the EPA Environmental Merit Award.
In its unique new plant, which will eventually employ a team of 35 operators and engineers, FRX Polymers produces the environmentally-friendly flame retardant polymer Nofia, for use in electronics, lighting, textiles, transportation vehicle accessories and high end construction materials. Nofia products are halogen‐free (i.e. no bromine) and are produced using sustainable green chemistry principles this means FRX Polymers’ process is solvent free, has near 100% atom efficiency and therefore creates no waste by-products.
FRX will double its capacity over the next 18 months as the plant goes through a debottlenecking process at the Antwerp plant. “It’s an exciting time for FRX Polymers as demand for Nofia products is ramping up rapidly. This new investment in Antwerp allows us to stay ahead of demand,” said Marc Lebel, President and CEO of FRX Polymers.
Flemish Minister President Geert Bourgeois, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mark Storella and Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever together with CEO Marc Lebel, inaugurated the new plant during a well-attended ceremony at the Scheldelaan in the port of Antwerp. For the reception afterwards, FRX Polymers chose the top floor of the Museum aan de Stroom, in part for the symbolism: at the beginning of the 20th century, the people who contributed to the progress of science and industry in the United States often started their journey from the nearby river Schelder quayside. Today the ideas, inventions and processes developed at FRX Polymers’ HQ in Chelmsford near Boston find their way back to Antwerp in order to be produced on a commercial scale for international use.
About FRX Polymers®
FRX
Polymers, Inc. was founded in 2007 following more than 5 years of
intensive research and development in the field of halogen-free
polymeric flame retardant polymers used as blend components. The company
operates a pilot plant in Chelmsford, MA (USA) and a full-scale plant in
Antwerp, Belgium. Having recently commissioned its commercial plant in
Antwerp, FRX is in the high growth phase of its evolution. It is
commercializing a novel family of halogen-free, transparent, high melt
flowing, polymeric flame retardant polymers. FRX Polymers is
headquartered in Chelmsford MA, USA. Learn more about FRX Polymers &
Nofia here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7_jet0Bqlw
