Clariant’s 2024 launch of melamine-free Exolit™ AP sets a new benchmark in SVHC-free fire protection without compromising performance.
Clariant marks a milestone: 50 years of Exolit™ AP flame retardants protecting lives and property across the globe. Since the first batch was produced in 1975 at the Knapsack site in Germany, Exolit AP has been at the forefront of fire protection, based on advanced ammonium polyphosphate (APP) technology. Over five decades, it has become the benchmark for performance and reliability in a broad range of applications, from intumescent coatings and fire barrier sealing systems to insulation foams and e-mobility battery housings.
“Through changing times and evolving industry needs, Exolit AP has remained at the forefront of innovation. From its origins in Hoechst AG to becoming a cornerstone of Clariant's portfolio in 1997, each decade has brought new challenges and achievements. The introduction of Exolit AP 462 in 1983 marked our first major breakthrough in encapsulated ammonium polyphosphate technology, setting new industry standards for performance and reliability,” has stated Achim Hennemann, Head of Market Segment Passive Fire Protection.
This golden anniversary is not just a moment to look back, it’s also an opportunity to look ahead. Clariant continues to shape the future of sustainable fire protection with the successful 2024 launch of a melamine-free Exolit AP grade. This SVHC-free innovation maintains the superior fire resistance expected from Exolit products, while responding to growing demand for safer, more environmentally responsible solutions.
“The launch of melamine-free Exolit AP represents more than just a new product. It embodies our commitment to combining five decades of expertise with tomorrow's sustainability demands,” has commented Adrian Beard, Global Industry Market Manager Flame Retardants.
The new melamine-free grade exemplifies Clariant’s commitment to supporting industries seeking alternatives to substances of concern. Like the market trend towards PFAS-free products, the move away from melamine reflects a broader shift in consumer and brand priorities, towards health, safety and sustainability. This innovation is ideally suited for Passive Fire Protection (PFP) applications such as fire stop systems, intumescent coatings and insulation panels.
Clariant is also developing an enhanced version of its trusted Exolit AP 435, the go-to choice for water-based intumescent coatings. This next-generation formulation will retain the outstanding shelf-life stability and fire protection performance that have made Exolit AP 435 an industry standard, while introducing forward-looking improvements aligned with upcoming regulatory demands.
“The same pioneering spirit that drove our first innovations in 1975 still drives us today. As we celebrate this golden anniversary, we're not just looking back at 50 years of achievement, we're building on this foundation to create the next generation of more sustainable flame retardants,” has concluded Stefan Brejc, Global Vice-President Segment Coatings & Adhesives.