Innovate for good
Innovating safer by design
Safer Buildings - By Sharing Technology
Insulation is critical for energy efficient warmth, cooling and safety. A fire retardant used in polystyrene-based foam insulation, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), is now banned in several countries due to its classification as a hazardous chemical.
DuPont scientists have created the alternative of choice, BLUEDGE™ Polymeric Flame Retardant technology, and we have been working with licensees to bring our safer technology to the Chinese market and other localities around the world.
To secure supply in China, where regulations requiring HBCD alternatives began in 2021, we licensed BLUEDGE™ technology to a local manufacturer, Shandong Sunris New Material Co., LTD (Sunris) and Guangzhou Fuda Insulation Materials Col, LTD (Fuda).
Polystyrene-based insulation foams historically utilized a flame retardant called hexabromocylododecane (HBCD). HBCD is classified as a persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) material and has been banned in several countries globally. Builders and manufacturers were challenged to find a high performing, safer alternative while maintaining cost competitiveness, insulation efficacy and fire safety ratings.
In developing BLUEDGE™ Polymeric Flame Retardant Technology, we replaced HBCD in polystyrene-based foam insulation with one that has inherently low toxicity and is safer by design.
In addition to superior toxicological performance compared to HBCD, BLUEDGE™ meets other industry requirements around flame retardant properties, foam board production and performance, and economic viability.
Our work in supporting the phase out of HBCD in China includes securing a local supply and advocating to stakeholders the superior performance of BLUEDGE™ as an alternative to HBCD in polystyrene insulation foam.
Shandong Sunris New Material Co., LTD (Sunris) partnered with DuPont to license BLUEDGE™ technology and now has 6000 tons of annual capacity. We worked with Sunris to find a new, high-quality raw material supplier and implement cost reduction activities to support price competition.
DuPont has also licensed BLUEDGE™ masterbatch technology to Guangzhou Fuda Insulation Materials Co., LTD (Fuda), the largest XPS foam manufacturer in China. We have supported Fuda’s implementation of a BLUEDGE™ masterbatch production line, which will enable broader market adoption of the BLUEDGE™ technology in China when complete.
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