Korea’s LG Chem has revealed that its PFAS*-free flame-retardant polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) material partially made of recycled plastics has received a V-0 rating for UL94, a U.S. standard flame retardancy test.
A V-0 rating represents the highest level of flame retardancy performance in the industry—the flame must self-extinguish within 10 seconds when the material is set on fire vertically. LG Chem claims it is the first in the world to have been certified for V-0 flame retardancy performance with a PFAS-free PC/ABS material.
Using an internally-developed special flame-retardant process, LG Chem has made its PC/ABS material more flame-resistant sans PFAS. The company also added post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics to reduce carbon emissions. The PFAS-free material boasts 46% lower carbon emissions compared to traditional PC/ABS materials as it contains more than 50% recycled plastics.
PFAS-free demand grows
PFAS are commonly used in cooking utensils, clothing, and cosmetics as they are highly flame-resistant and do not dissolve in water and oil. However, as they does not decompose in nature and have a negative impact on the environment, demand for PFAS-free materials is growing, mainly in Europe and the U.S.
“The transition to eco-friendly materials, including PFAS-free flame-retardant plastics, will become a global trend. We will continue our research and development efforts to create eco-friendly and flame-retardant materials that prioritize customer well-being and the environment,” said Steven Kim, Senior Vice President of LG Chem’s Engineering Materials Business Unit.
PFAS-free flame-retardant materials are expected to be applied in various electronic devices such as laptops and tablets—devices often in close contact with the human body that generate heat—as well as in industrial equipment such as inverters and electric vehicle chargers. In addition to PC/ABS materials, LG Chem has successfully obtained UL certification for various PFAS-free flame-retardant materials it has developed, including PC and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).
Image courtesy of LG Chem
* Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
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