Nine expanded polystyrene manufacturers start HBCDD consortium

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: Nine manufacturers of expanded polystyrene (EPS) have joined forces and have set up a hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) authorization consortium for the preparation of an application for authorisation of the use of the substance as a flame retardant in EPS in buildings. The nine EPS manufacturers are downstream users of HBCDD and are preparing the joint part of an application dossier.

The founding members of the consortium are - Ineos Styrenics, Monotez SA, Polidux SA, StyroChem Finland Oy, Sunpor Kunststoff GmbH Austria, Synbra Technology BV, Synthos SA, Unipol Holland BV and Versalis SpA. The members of the consortium want to ensure to their customers a continued safe supply and use of EPS for use in building insulation material. Sufficient supply of insulation materials is crucial for the European Union to achieve the goal of a reduced carbon footprint.

At present HBCDD is the only flame-retardant for EPS commercially available. Alternative flame-retardants are not available in sufficient quantities before 2015. The aim of the consortium is to obtain an authorisation for a continued safe use of the product, until a valid alternative is available. Consortium members selected Peter Fisk Associates Limited and Economics for the Environment Consultancy as service providers to help them prepare the application dossier for authorisation.

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