Dubendorf, Switzerland — FoamPartner has helped develop a new phosphorus-based flame retardant for flexible foam with help from Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA).
FoamPartner helps develop phosphate flame retardant
Flame test. Credit: EMPA
The new flame retardant called EDA-DOPO is based on 9,10-dihydro-10-oxa-phosphaphenanthrene oxide and can enable foams to reach the UL94 HB classification for flame retardancy, according to EMPA.
EMPA added that it has developed a 'particularly economical and ecological synthesis process, which also simplifies the production of other DOPO derivatives.' This is process, being used by Austria's Metadynea, which has produced 1.5 tonne of the flame retardant.
The work was funded as part of the European Union's Eureka SUSPUR project and was carried out by Sabayaschi Gaan over a two year period at EMPA.
Currently, FoamPartner is the sole licensee of the flame retardant and tests on foam are being carried out. FoamPartner 'was looking to expand its range with environmentally friendly flame retardant PU foams,' EMPA said.
EMPA added that the flame retardant is going through the European Union's REACH chemicals registration process, .
