June 1990 Additives for Polvmers

nylon is expected to increase in the 5 year period. The market for high work to break nylon (HWB), is expected to drop from 11,960 tonnes to 9,600 tonnes, and high streng& low shrinkage nylon (HSLS) are expected to decline from 7,600 tennes to 7,200 tonnes. ICI plans to offer nylons in all these three categories, and two new types of fibre will shortly be introduced.

Europ. Rubb. J., 1990,172, (Mar.), 9

Study report on fillers Kline SA of Brussels has pubIished a report into the use of 15 types of industrial mineral8 used in various industries, including rubber, in W. Europe. The mineral8 studied include calcium carbonate, kaolin, mica, talc and other minerals used in the rubber industry. The complete report costs BFr 650,600, but the chapter relating to rubber end-uses is BFr 125,000.

Flame retardant chemicals

This is the title of a new study by Business Communication8 Co. Inc. which estimates that alumina trihydrate (ATH) at about 317 million pound8 is the dominant flame retardant chemical used. Growth rates for ATH through 1994 are predicted to average around 6.5% annually. M[IELpmium car~na~~ and hydrate8 will fXnd a niche in the p~duc~on of engineering resins where high processing temperature8 preclude8 the use of ATH*

At 195 million pounds annually, phosphorous is the second most widely used flame retardant chemical. An annual growth rate of 5.0% is predicted for the next five years. Halogenated phosphorous now claims 909/6 of that market. However, this picture is expected to change over the next decade.

Other BCC finding8 include: 1) Interest in chlorine compound8 as flame retardant additive8 remain8 high, despite its being a halogenated hy~~on~ Current siphon is about 90 million pounds. Variety of usage will maintain growth at around 6.6% through 1994. 2) Bromine is one of the smaller speciality segments; about 59 million pound8 arf3 coneumed amually. As a general rule, bromine compound8 are more expensive and experience less toxicity problem8 than other halogens. Lack of suitable replacement8 is expected to maintain growth at 6% per year. 3) In 1983, the antimony oxide market began its reooveq. About 50 million pound8 are currently consumed. In spite of concern over its supposed toxicity, producers are predicting mual growth of 5%. Wetted grades and dustless concentrates are carving niches as safer forms of ebony oxide. 4) Iesser used chemical8 (boron, molybdenum, nitrogen, etc.) continue to fXnd a market as partial replacement8 for higher priced chemicals and as synergists. Of these chemicals, boron compound8 represent about 80% of the 46 million pounds consumed in 1989. Demand by major end-us8 markets will keep the annual growth of micellaneous chemical8 around 6% through 1994. 5) Most of the flame retarding and smoke suppressing chemicals are used in plastics (77%). ATH and phosphorous chemical consumption ars fir& and second place in flame retardant8 for plastics.

@1990 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd. 9