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The hidden power of flame retardants: What makes brominated flame retardants a major player in the market?
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are organic bromine compounds that have the property of inhibiting combustion chemical reactions and can reduce the flammability of products containing these substances. This class of chemicals accounts for approximately 19.7% of the market for brominated flame retardants. These brominated products are effective in plastics and textile applications and are particularly widely used in electronics, clothing and furniture. For example, in 2011, 390,000 tons of brominated flame retardants were sold.
Different types of brominated flame retardants
The various brominated flame retardants have a wide variety of chemical properties and fall into several major categories:
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): DecaBDE, OctaBDE (no longer manufactured), PentaBDE (no longer manufactured, the first commercial BFR, launched in the 1950s)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB, no longer manufactured)
Brominated cycloalkanes
Other brominated flame retardants with different properties and mechanisms
Environmental impact and safety issues
The government generally believes that brominated flame retardants are not harmful to human health at the exposure levels assessed. In fact, 80-90% of PBDE ingestion is through household dust, while the remainder of exposure comes from food ingestion. Especially high-fat foods, such as fatty meats or fish, are possible sources of exposure. In addition, PBDEs in breast milk may also affect the health of nursing infants.
Industry applications and benefits
Brominated flame retardants are the largest consumer in the electronics industry and are mainly used in four aspects of computers: printed circuit boards, connectors and other components, plastic casings and cables. In addition, these substances can be found in a variety of products, including plastic casings for televisions, carpets, pillows, paint, decorative items and home kitchen appliances.
Market reaction and regulatory situation
Due to the gradual tightening of environmental regulations, especially in the European Union, the use of certain BFRs has been affected by bans. For example, the use of DecaBDE was banned in 2019, while the use of HBCD still received temporary exemptions in certain applications. Although these regulatory actions are intended to reduce potential health risks, there is continued market demand for the use of flame retardants.
Future Outlook
The implementation of mechanized fire protection regulations and people's concerns about environmental pollution indicate that the flame retardant market may change in the future. Businesses and scientists are actively seeking alternatives to cope with growing environmental demands. However, what new technologies need to be considered that can be sustainable without compromising fire safety?
In forty years of scientific and technological progress, brominated flame retardants have entered our daily lives from adventures and become one of the main products on the market. As awareness of health and environmental impacts deepens, where will flame retardant technology develop in the future?
