Perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylatechemical substances; proposedsignificant new use rule

The US Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA), under the ToxicSubstances Control Act (TSCA), isproposing to amend a significant newuse rule (SNUR) for perfluoroalkylsulfonate (PFAS) chemicalsubstances. The agency proposes toadd PFAS chemical substances thathave completed the TSCA newchemical review process but have notyet commenced production or import,and to designate for all listed PFASchemical substances processing as asignificant new use. The EPA is alsoproposing a SNUR for long-chainperfluoroalkyl carboxylate (LCPFAC)chemical substances that woulddesignate manufacturing, importing orprocessing for use as part of carpetsor for treating carpet (eg for use in thecarpet aftercare market) as asignificant new use. For this SNUR,the EPA is also proposing to make thearticle exemption inapplicable to theimport of LCPFAC chemicalsubstances as part of carpets.Persons subject to these SNURswould be required to notify the EPA atleast 90 days before commencing anysignificant new use. The requirednotifications would provide the EPAwith the opportunity to evaluate theintended use and, if necessary, toprohibit or limit that activity before itoccurs. Comments must be receivedon or before 15 Oct 2012.

Original Source: Federal Register, 15 Aug 2012, 77(158), 48924-48934 (Website:http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys)

ASSOCIATEDPRODUCTS

Builders

Uses of phosphates: industrial demand

Out of overall phosphate demand, aquota of 15-16% corresponding to 6.4M tonnes of phosphorus pentoxide(P2O5) is used for products other thanfertilizers. Increase in demand of 0.5M tonnes with annual growth of 9% ispredicted for the period 2010 to 2015for non-fertilizer applications. Sectors

contributing to this demand aredetergents, food additives, feeds,plant protection products, toothpaste,extinguishers and flame retardants,matches, fireworks, semiconductors,batteries, ceramics. About 50% ofnon-fertilizer demand is for animalfeed and additives. Detergentsaccount for another 20-25% of thetotal.

Original Source: Terra e Vita, 23 Jun 2012, 53 (25(Fertilizzare Oggi Supplement)), 8 (Website:http://www.edagricole.it/) (in Italian) © Il Sole 24 OreBusiness Media Srl 2012

Phosphorus stewardship

The CRU ‘Phosphates 2012’conference held in El Jadida,Morocco on 19-22 Mar 2012 wasattended by about 500 delegates fromthe phosphate industry, engineeringand expertise, science and media.OCP, the Moroccan nationalphosphate mining, fertilizer andchemical organization, hosted theconference, where it presented theorganization’s efforts to increase thesustainability of phosphate miningand production and improve theefficiency of phosphate use. OCPMorocco currently accounts for 14%of global capacity. The organizationintends to expand capacity in thecoming years as global phosphateconsumption is likely to continue togrow. The falling prices are expectedto continue in 2012, but a slightincrease is anticipated in 2013.Industrial, food and detergentapplications presently account for 6%of world phosphate use.

Original Source: Scope Newsletter (CEFIC), May2012, (86), 2-4 (Website: http://www.ceep-phosphates.org/) © Cefic 2012

Other

Ninja polymers: self-assemblingbactericidal polymers

IBM Research, Almaden, CA, hascreated a polymer (based onsemiconductor technology) capable ofkilling bacteria without the use ofantibiotics. While looking into ways ofetching silicon wafers, researchersfound materials that link together toform polymers that can generate anelectrostatic charge. In water or in thebloodstream the components of thesepolymers self-assemble to form bio-

compatible structures (ninjas) that areelectrostatically attracted to infectedcells without affecting healthy ones.The ninjas destroy the bacteria andthen biodegrade. In addition tomedical applications, the IBMresearchers hope to find otherapplications in detergents andpossibly toothpaste, mouth-washesand food packaging that currently usebiocides harmful to the environment.

Original Source: macplas e-news, 18 Jul 2012, (113),(Website: http://www.macplas.it/) © Promaplast srl2012

Alban Muller creates naturalalternative to salicylic acid

Alban Muller has developed two newingredients derived from wintergreenextract. One, Amipreserve, is anatural preservative suitable foremulsions and foaming gels. It isclaimed to have proven efficacy onbacteria and yeasts and imparts asafe antimicrobial substitute tosynthetic preservatives.

Original Source: SPC, Soap, Perfumery andCosmetics, Jul 2012, 85 (7), 71 (Website:http://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/) © HPCi MediaLtd 2012

Structure Style polymer

The naturally derived Structure Stylepolymer from AkzoNobel SurfaceChemistry’s Global Personal Carebusiness is said to provide formulatorswith multiple styling benefits, as well aspotential for significant savings informulation costs. This starch-basedpolymer has film-forming and rheology-modification capabilities to deliver long-lasting hold and excellent thickening instyling formulations. It is intended tomeet consumers’ requirement forstyling products with high performanceand improved sustainability.

Original Source: HPC, Household and Personal CareToday, Jun 2012, (2), 7 (Website: http://hpc-today.teknoscienze.com/) © Teknoscienze Srl 2012

APPLICATIONSLaundry products

A new generation of detergents inNorway

OMO Power Dose is the first laundrydetergent in capsule format on the

4 OCTOBER 2012

F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S