ACRYLITE® Acrylic Molding Compounds Manufactured without Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
April 10, 2006
Rockaway, NJ -- The polymerization process employed to manufacture ACRYLITE® acrylic molding compounds uses neither tetrachlorophthalic anhydride (TCPA), nor hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Nor are either of these substances added to the polymers. That has been stated quite clearly by the Methacrylates Business Unit of Degussa AG, Dusseldorf.
HCB is currently under increased scrutiny from governmental agencies in Japan because of links to serious health problems for humans and animals. Colorants based on TCPA are suspected of containing traces of HCB as a contaminant, by-product or secondary product. The Japanese government has therefore called on automotive suppliers to employ only plastics that contain no HCB.
Degussa's Molding Compounds Business Line offers a range of crystal-clear and colored ACRYLITE® compounds for automotive signal lights that are manufactured without HCB or TCPA and meet SAE J576c requirements. Moreover, these PMMA molding compounds provide superior colorfastness and weather resistance, plus high transparency and scratch resistant surfaces.
Upon inquiry, manufacturers of the relevant colorants informed the Molding Compounds Business Line that the colorants used for these ACRYLITE® grades are not based on TCPA, nor is HCB used in their manufacturing processes. The relevant colorants have therefore not been specifically examined for HCB.
Degussa is the global market leader in specialty chemicals. Our business is creating essentials - innovative products and system solutions that make indispensable contributions to our customers' success. In fiscal 2005 around 44,000 employees worldwide generated sales of 11.8 billion euros and operating profits (EBIT) of 940 million euros.
ACRYLITE® is a registered trademark of CYRO Industries Inc., Rockaway, New Jersey. CYRO Industries Inc. is a subsidiary of Degussa AG.
THIS INFORMATION AND ALL FURTHER TECHNICAL ADVICE ARE BASED ON DEGUSSA’S PRESENT KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE. HOWEVER, DEGUSSA ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR PROVIDING SUCH INFORMATION AND ADVICE. NEITHER DOES DEGUSSA ASSUME LIABILITY FOR SUCH INFORMATION AND ADVICE AS IT MAY RELATE TO EXISTING THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, ESPECIALLY PATENT RIGHTS. IN PARTICULAR, DEGUSSA DISCLAIMS ALL CONDITIONS AND WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR MERCHANTABILITY. DEGUSSA SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS) OF ANY KIND. DEGUSSA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE ANY CHANGES ACCORDING TO TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS OR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY AND OBLIGATION TO CAREFULLY INSPECT AND TEST ANY INCOMING GOODS. PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT(S) DESCRIBED HEREIN SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY TESTING AND CARRIED OUT ONLY BY QUALIFIED EXPERTS. IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER TO CARRY OUT AND ARRANGE FOR ANY SUCH TESTING.
