Chemical Business

www.thor.comThor -a speciality chemicals business-Preservation technologies-Flame retardants(both designed to “preserve”!)Preservatives-Also known as biocides-perceived as a “necessary evil”-Often classified as “pesticides”-gives the wrong impression-majority of applications are closed systems unlike agricultural pesticides-however, we must accept that “chemicals are guilty until proven innocent”Regulation•Preservatives very heavily regulated-US FIFRA, EU Biocidal Products Directive-EU Cosmetics Directive, EU Toy Directive-Operate within framework of DangerousSubstances Directive, CLP Directive,Marketing & Use Directive, etc. etc. ……..•All require extensive dossiers on toxicological,ecotoxicological and environmental fate data•Very costly process €3-5 million for registration processPreservation & Green ChemistryContributions-Maximising the service life of a product-Reducing in-service energy costs-Permits the development of VOC-free formulations-Protects human healthPreservation –Thor’s approach•“Less is more”-Synergy•Use of renewable resources-Exploit natural anti-microbials•Improve efficiency-Encapsulation of activesThe IsothiazolinonesNSR1ORThe Synthetic RouteR & R1= substitution groupsAttributes-Broad spectrum anti-microbial activity-Basic structure can be modified to confer specific activities-Effective at very low concentrations-Can be blended to produce synergistic activity-Rapid degradation in environment-Non-bioaccumulative-Produced in zero emissions environmentMethylisothiazolinoneNew generation activeSN-CH3O•Non-halogen•Low Pow(-0.5)•Rapid degradation in environment (t½ <26h)•Effective at 50-100ppm ai•Good stability in product•High sensitisation threshold (>3000ppm)The Natural Route•Plant derived extracts-Steam distillation-Maceration in vegetable oil-Solvent extraction and distillation/percolation-Super critical fluid extractionThe Natural RouteHurdles-Variable quality-Require EU approval for “preservative” designation-High levels required which can result in irritation-Activity not broad spectrum-Often require reformulation of productto assistanti-microbial efficacyThe Natural RouteExamples:•Tea tree oil ex Melaleuca alternifolia•Honeysuckle extracts ex Lonicera caprifolium& japonica•Citrus seed extracts ex grapefruit•Sorbates ex Rowan berries•Usinic acid ex tree lichen•Hinokitiol ex Formosa Hinoki tree•4-methoxybenzoic acid (asinic acid) ex aniseed•4-oxopentanoic acid (levulinic acid) ex wild yams•Ichthyol pale ex Shale oil•Chitosan ex crustacean shells•And many more in the literature……….Flame retardantsChemical types-Inorganics based on aluminium and phosphorus-Antimony trioxide/bromine compounds-Nitrogen/phosphorus compoundsWood/Paper20%Textiles5%Paints/coatings 10%Plastics65%FR applications of phosphorous compoundsRegulation•Use of FRs in textiles is developing through-Regulation (UK, Europe, USA etc)-Public perception-“Affluence”Thor’sphosphorus chemistry-Ammonium polyphosphate-Alkyl phosphonopropionamide-Hydroxymethyl phosphoniumchloride/urea condensate compound-Cyclic phosphonatesFlame retardants for fabricsBack-coating of fabrics -advantages-Minimum effect on colour-Minimum effect on strength-Fabric stabilisation-No loss in abrasion resistance-Minimised waste disposal during processingProcess traditionally uses antimony trioxide/bromine compound-these are under environmentalscrutinyand subjectto restrictions in their useThe benefits of phosphorus based FR chemistry-Formulated for cost effective back-coating use-Can be used for natural and synthetic fabrics-Single stage application-Can be formulated to include other performance functionssuch as waterproofing and anti-mildew-Environmentally friendly, low toxicity-No VOCs (water based)www.thor.comThank you for your attention