Recently, Elementis announced that its innovative CHARGUARD™ series of flame retardant synergists will be officially launched in China and the Asia-Pacific region. This series includes three advanced products - CHARGUARD™ 1000, CHARGUARD™ 2000, and the newly introduced CHARGUARD™ 2010. All products are made from sustainably sourced mineral-based organic clays, meeting the highest international environmental and regulatory standards. The specially customized CHARGUARD™ 2010 for China and the Asia-Pacific region is produced locally in China to meet the specific needs of manufacturers in this region.

The unique layered structure of the CHARGUARD™ series provides a multifunctional solution: it not only promotes char formation, inhibits smoke generation, but also prevents dripping in high-temperature thermoplastics, while enhancing the effectiveness of primary flame retardants. Wendy Li, Director of New Business Development for Elementis in the Asia-Pacific region, stated: "Through CHARGUARD™ 2010, we help Chinese manufacturers improve the fire safety of their products, responding to the growing demand for sustainable, high-performance plastics."

Why launch the CHARGUARD™ series? To meet the demand for safer, more sustainable plastics

Over the past decade, the production methods of plastic products have undergone significant changes, particularly driven by consumers' demands for higher flame retardancy, stronger thermal stability, and greater safety, sustainability, and performance. This has made efficient flame retardants and synergistic additives, especially those that can optimize the performance of halogen-free flame retardants, indispensable components in the production of plastic resins.

As environmental and health issues receive increasing attention globally, more and more manufacturers are turning to halogen-free flame retardants (such as phosphates, mineral-based flame retardants, and intumescent types). These halogen-free flame retardants typically require a higher addition rate than halogenated ones, making synergistic agents even more critical.

However, plastic manufacturers are also placing greater emphasis on using safer and more sustainable flame retardants. Many traditional halogen synergists, such as antimony trioxide and PTFE-based synergists, are gradually being replaced.

Specific Needs in the Chinese and Asia-Pacific Markets

The trend towards halogen-free flame retardants in China and the Asia-Pacific region is driven by unique market demands. With the rapid development of industries such as infrastructure, electronics, and electric transportation in China and the Asia-Pacific region, there has been a significant increase in demand for plastics that meet fire safety requirements. Currently, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for half of the global consumption of flame-retardant plastics.

In order to meet increasingly stringent environmental and safety regulations, more and more manufacturers are opting for halogen-free flame retardants, especially phosphate-based or nanocomposite solutions, to satisfy multiple requirements such as safety, sustainability, and recyclability.

In order to meet increasingly stringent environmental and safety regulations, more and more manufacturers are opting for halogen-free flame retardants, especially phosphate-based or nanocomposite solutions, to satisfy multiple requirements such as safety, sustainability, and recyclability.

The Chinese government has recently strengthened fire safety standards (GB standards) for building materials, electrical products, electric vehicles, transportation, and consumer goods, further promoting the demand for environmentally friendly halogen-free flame-retardant plastics in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, with China's export control on antimony trioxide, there is an increased urgency to develop antimony-free flame retardant solutions.

The Chinese government has recently strengthened fire safety standards (GB standards) for building materials, electrical products, electric vehicles, transportation, and consumer goods, further promoting the demand for environmentally friendly halogen-free flame-retardant plastics in the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, with China's export control on antimony trioxide, there is an increased urgency to develop antimony-free flame retardant solutions.

How to Bring CHARGUARD™ to China and the Asia-Pacific Region

To provide safe, compliant, and efficient flame retardant synergist solutions to manufacturers in China and the Asia-Pacific region, Elementis has introduced the CHARGUARD™ series to this area. The CHARGUARD™ series is a flame retardant synergist based on organoclay, designed to enhance char formation and anti-dripping properties of both halogenated and halogen-free flame retardants. CHARGUARD™ products do not contain intentionally added PFAS components.

To provide safe, compliant, and efficient flame retardant synergist solutions to manufacturers in China and the Asia-Pacific region, Elementis has introduced the CHARGUARD™ series to this area. The CHARGUARD™ series is a flame retardant synergist based on organoclay, designed to enhance char formation and anti-dripping properties of both halogenated and halogen-free flame retardants. CHARGUARD™ products do not contain intentionally added PFAS components.

In addition to CHARGUARD™ 1000 and CHARGUARD™ 2000 (launched in the Americas and EMEA markets in Q4 2024), the newly introduced CHARGUARD™ 2010 for the Asia-Pacific and Chinese markets was specially developed for these regions.

These initial CHARGUARD™ series products form the pioneering flame retardant synergist product line of Elementis in the Asia Pacific market. In the future, more suitable CHARGUARD™ products will be launched based on market demand.

Overview of CHARGUARD™ Series Products

Expected Outcomes

By providing alternatives to antimony trioxide and PTFE-based synergists, the CHARGUARD™ series will help plastic manufacturers in China and the Asia Pacific region:

• Continuously improve the char formation and anti-dripping performance of halogen-free flame retardants

• Meet consumer demands for safer and more sustainable plastics and flame retardants

• Comply with regulatory requirements in both local and export markets