The Perfect Balance: Safe and Effective Flame Retardants

industrial flame retardants Despite decades of research on flame retardant nylon fabrics, few viable alternatives have been developed. Finding the balance between an effective FR treatment that does not degrade nylon’s material strength has been elusive.

Alexium has developed a novel FR mechanism that strikes this balance and does much more. Alexium’s FR treatment affords excellent flame retardancy without any melting or dripping – all while retaining the strength and breathability of the fabric. This combination of properties fills a significant gap in the consumer, industrial, and military textile markets.

Alexium FR Nylon

Durable Topical FR Treatment
Excellent Flame Resistance
Maintains Strength Characteristics
No Melt, No Drip
No Bromine, No Halogens
Maintains Breathability

As the public and government agencies across the world are increasing pressure to phase out traditional bromine-based flame retardants due to environmental and health concerns, Alexium is introducing a safe and effective bromine-free FR alternative for several industrial applications.

The military demand of FR treated Nylon, used in the cold weather clothing systems, is estimated at several million linear yards annually by itself – with many additional opportunities in non-military markets.

Alexium is bringing this FR treatment to market under a license agreement with Duro Textiles, one of the United States’ largest finishers and distributors of textile products – and other partners around the globe.

Industrial Flame Retardants – Facts, Figures & Trends

According to industry data, the annual consumption of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) alone is in excess of 40,000 metric tons.
Brominated flame retardants are lipophilic and bio-accumulative, and several brominated flame retardants have been labeled carcinogens and neurological toxins.
Some European countries have already banned some or all of these hazardous brominated flame retardants.
In the United States, legislative efforts in some states and at the federal level are underway to phase out brominated flame retardants.
California is moving forward with plans to scrap old laws and replace them with new standards that can be met without the use of toxic chemicals.
Protection agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are making organobromine-based ingredients as part of a high priority review, citing widespread exposure and potential health risks.
In the United States, reports such as the Chicago Tribune’s “Playing With Fire” investigative series have reignited public concerns about the performance of (brominated) flame retardants and the potential harmful effects on humans and animals.
Other halogenated FR chemicals, such as chlorinated Tris, are also coming under heavy attack due to potential health concerns in children.