Clariant: Commercial plant for Exolit® OP range
A new, leading edge class of flame retardants will be produced on a commercial scale: on March 31, 2003, the foundation stone will be laid for an Exolit® OP production plant at the Clariant site in Knapsack, near Cologne, Germany. The flame retardant is non-halogenated and highly effective and was specially developed for use in glass-fibre reinforced thermoplastics. It satisfies important fire classifications and electrical standards as well as toxicological and ecological requirements. The new plant includes a reaction unit as well as packaging and storage facilities. The plant, which is scheduled to start operation at the end of 2004, is designed to produce several thousand metric tons per year. Clariant is investing several 10 million Euros in this plant. Another beneficial effect of the new facility is that it maintains a large number of jobs and even created 20 new jobs.
Exolit® OP is a non-halogenated flame retardant based on a metal phosphinate. It combines the high effectiveness of organophosphorus compounds with the advantageous properties of mineral flame retardants.