ISOFLEX AB replacing TCEP as fire retardant in Moniflex
Dear customer!
ISOFLEX AB is a supplier of sustainable and environmental friendly Moniflex based insulation solutions. Moniflex is composed of natural fibers from sustainable forestry with a small amount of plasticizing fire retardant that ashore the important fire performance of the material.
TCEP on the SVHC list
In January 2010 TCEP were classified as a substance of very high concern by the European Chemical Agency. Since this came to our knowledge we have put all our efforts in finding an environmental friendly fire retardant plasticizer to replace TCEP. This work is done in cooperation with our suppliers and Bombardier that function as a reference group for the environmental point of view.
Ongoing research and full scale trials
Since Q1 2010, we have evaluated six different fire retardants in full scale and have already received promising results. We are now focusing in evaluating the different alternatives and the tentative time schedule for making a switch will be as follows:
2010
Q2 – Evaluation of HSE data for new candidates.
Q3 – New full scale trials to optimize recipe in terms of fire performance.
– If necessary try a new set of candidates in small scale/full scale trial.
Q4 – Evaluate new results
2011
Q1 – Starting the switch to the new environmental friendly Moniflex
Q2/Q3 – Implementing the new Moniflex in all programs
Moniflex safely capsulate TCEP
Moniflex with TCEP as plasticizer and fire retardant have been used for many years as insulation material in trains without any reported negative effects. TCEP are a minor part of Moniflex and well captured within the plastic film. Either Isoflex or the supplier of the base materials have seen any indications of TCEP migrating out from the Moniflex material. Internal measures have been done on 10 years old Moniflex showing the same concentrations of TCEP as when the materials were produced. The Material Safety Data Sheet for Moniflex has been updated and can be loaded down from our home page.
Gustafs, Sweden 29 March 2010
Thomas Vissgården
ISOFLEX AB - Managing Director
Published: 2010-03-29
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