Clariant Expands Production Capacities in Daya Bay
Clariant successfully completes its CHF 100 million investment in the Daya Bay plant in China, with the second production line becoming fully operational in November.
This expanded capacity strengthens Clariant's ability to meet the growing demand for more sustainable flame retardant solutions in Asia and the global market, particularly in the rapidly expanding e-mobility sector.
"Our continued investment in the Daya Bay facility underscores our commitment to supporting the significant growth of engineering plastics applications in e-mobility and electrical & electronic segments," said Angela Cackovich, Business President Adsorbents & Additives and EMEA and Member of the Executive Steering Committee. "With this world-class manufacturing plant, we strengthen our leading position in innovative and more sustainable fire safety solutions while improving our ability to serve customers across the Asia Pacific region with reduced delivery times and tailored solutions."
In addition, Clariant announces the expansion of its Exolit OP flame retardant portfolio with two new high-performance solutions specifically developed for polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) applications in e-mobility. The new products, Exolit OP 1242 (TP) and Exolit OP 1266 (TP), will be presented at K 2025.
Meeting the critical challenges of e-mobility
The new Exolit OP flame retardants address two critical challenges in e-mobility applications. Exolit OP 1242 (TP) offers exceptional hydrolytic stability, while Exolit OP 1266 (TP) offers a stable comparative tracking index (CTI) of 600 V even after extended storage periods. Both products meet the UL 94 vertical test with V-0 classification up to a sample thickness of 0.4 mm at dosages of 15-20%.
These innovations are crucial as e-mobility increasingly relies on high-voltage systems of 800 V and higher, which can only be realized with materials with superior insulation properties and lasting stability under demanding conditions.
Coping with fluctuations in the antimony market
The new halogen-free flame retardants offer manufacturers an attractive alternative to traditional systems based on antimony trioxide (ATO), which has seen dramatic price increases and volatility in the supply chain in recent years.
"Our new Exolit OP solutions not only deliver superior technical performance for e-mobility applications but also help manufacturers reduce their exposure to antimony market fluctuations," explained Mariano Suarez, Head of Marketing Additives at Clariant. "By offering halogen-free and ATO-free alternatives that don't require fluorinated polymers like PTFE, we are enabling our customers to meet growing OEM environmental requirements while maintaining reliable supply chains."
Expanding the Exolit portfolio with melamine-free solutions
As part of Clariant's goal to remove Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) from its portfolio, the company has developed Exolit AP 422 A. This product offers exceptional fire protection for polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation boards, while providing manufacturers with a melamine-free, SVHC-free solution that meets stringent fire safety standards.
In polyurethane foam applications, this versatile, halogen-free ammonium polyphosphate serves as an effective replacement for TCPP (tris(chloropropyl) phosphate) and TEP (triethyl phosphate). It offers reliable flame-retardant properties without undesirable plasticizing effects. With improved powder flowability for more efficient processing, Exolit AP 422 A helps customers produce safer and more sustainable building materials that meet evolving regulatory requirements.
