The brominated flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) is to be phased out over the next three years in the USA, following an agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the three main suppliers in the US market. There is no such ban impending market in the EU, though pressure against decaBDE’s use continues.

Under the new agreement, the two main US-based producers Albemarle and Chemtura and the Industrial Products division of Israel Chemicals (ICL-IP), which is the main importer of decaBDE into the US, will end sales for all remaining essential uses by the end of 2013.

This process will begin with the consumer segments, particularly electrical and electronic equipment, textiles and home furnishings, followed by automotive interiors, aerospace and industrial applications. A further 12 months will be allowed in some transportation and military uses, where more time is needed for suitable substitutes to be qualified.

According to Steve Owens, assistant administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides & Toxic Substances at the EPA, the agency “has long been concerned about decaBDE’s impact on human health and the environment”. He described the voluntary agreement to phase it out as “an appropriate and responsible” response.

Various studies down the years have suggested that decaBDE is environmentally persistent and possibly linked with cancer and brain impairment, as well as degrading to more toxic chemicals that can harm wildlife. Based on these, Greenpeace and other NGOs have campaigned extensively against the continued use of brominated flame retardants.

A few years ago, penta- and octaDBE were phased out. However, based on many other studies, the industry has continued to defend decaBDE vociferously, arguing that the toxicity concerns that were validated for penta- and octaBDE do not apply and that it has for many years enhanced the safety of a huge range of consumer and industrial products.

Each of the three companies put out individual statements about the phase-out. All said that they still believe decaBDE to be both safe and effective and not harmful to the environment, but said that they are committed to shifting production to greener alternatives.

Brian Carter, global business director of Albemarle's flame retardant group, called decaBDE “safe in use and one of the most efficacious flame retardants in the world”, but added: “Safe and environmentally sound substitutes are available today, and we are working with our customers and the EPA to implement a phase-out of decaBDE in the coming years.”

Shortly beforehand, Albemarle had announced the launch of GreenArmor, a recyclable, polymer-based flame retardant technology that it views as an eco-friendly alternative to decaBDE. This is the first of a projected series of flame retardants to be launched under the EarthWise brand name. It is due to be commercially available in late 2010.

According to Albemarle, GreenArmor is the result of many years R&D and is suitable for use in a variety of plastics in consumer products, offering better performance while also making the end products more sustainable. It was developed with all aspects of green chemistry in mind, including minimising the use of raw materials and energy and the generation of by-products and waste.

In announcing the phase-out of most uses for its DE-83R brand of decaBDE, Chemtura likewise defended the material’s safety and environmental credentials. However, said CEO Craig Rogerson, it welcomed “the chance to help transition our customers to other alternatives, including new products we are piloting and plan to introduce in 2010. This is a key step in our longstanding 'Greener is Better' programme,” he added.

The company will work with customers to evaluate and qualify alternatives from current or new products in the phase-out period. It also plans to commit to gradual year-on-year reductions in production and sales volumes, establishing annual targets with the EPA and reporting back to the agency on its progress.

ICL-IP, meanwhile, described the phase-out as part of a two-component programme to “accelerate the market's transition to sustainable solutions”, the other being the acceleration of its own development of next-generation, polymeric flame retardants. Replacement products are to be launched over the next two to three years.

"It is clear that advanced R&D is the key to the development of next-generation flame retardants and other chemical solutions, commented Ilan Elkan, vice-president of ICL-IP’s Flame Retardant Business unit. “As we evaluate the alternatives, we are following emerging scientific and technological developments to identify those that meet our strict criteria for functionality, sustainability and toxicological profile.”

As part of this, ICL-IP said that it will continue its dialogue with government regulators and stakeholders. It also plans to carry out review processes with its decaBDE customers “to chart a safe and orderly transition towards their use of alternative flame retardant products”.

The picture is less clear in Europe, where the Bromine Science and Environmental Forum (BSEF) is fighting a rearguard action to save decaBDE. In May 2008, the Official Journal of the European Communities published risk assessment conclusions from extensive research concluding that decaBDE posed “no significant risks to the environment or human health which would justify risk reduction measures”.

Earlier, in April 2008, however, the European Court of Justice had overturned an exemption from a ban of decaBDE under the EU Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances, for which BSEF had lobbied. The resulting contradiction between the directive and the risk assessment still remains to be clarified.