CHEMLSFORD, Mass.—FRX Polymers Inc., a provider of polymeric halogen-free flame-retardant solutions, entered into a joint development agreement with Shanghai's Yoo-Point Group, a resin producer for the coatings market.
The agreement covers the production of water-based emulsions containing FRX's Nofia phosphonate halogen-free flame retardants, according to a Yoo-Point news release. The emulsions are suited for use in polyurethane coatings and low-density flexible PU foam.
Under the joint development agreement, Yoo-Point will market and sell the new Nofia FR-based emulsions to customers in China, Yoo-Point said. FRX will be responsible for marketing and commercialization outside of China.
"This joint development agreement opens up many new market opportunities for Nofia flame retardants and has global implications," Marc Lebel, FRX president and CEO, said in a statement.
The water-based emulsion is targeted at low-density PU foam applications such as automotive headliners and PU coatings for FR clothing, rain gear and synthetic leather, Yoo-Point said. Because the emulsion has less than a 400-nanometer particle size, it delivers stability and flame-retardant properties in addition a low total volatile organic components rating to meet strict automotive interior specifications.
Nofia FRs enable the foam products to meet various automotive fire safety standards as well as new total VOC and fogging standards from global car producers and regional in-vehicle air quality regulations, said Yoo-Point. These include the new Chinese mandatory standard GB/T 27630-201X.
The emulsion system could be incorporated in other resins that are compatible with Nofia FRs, Lebel said.