Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), as a flame retardant with excellent performance, mature technology and low price, plays an important role in the industries of expandable polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation materials. An indispensable role. But at the same time, as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in accordance with the "Stockholm Convention" and my country's ""Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants" the newly added hexabromocyclododecane amendment" (referred to as " Amendment), HBCD is about to withdraw from the stage of history permanently at the end of 2021.
Up to now, the total annual output of EPS and XPS insulation boards using HBCD as flame retardant in my country has reached 1.9 million tons. There are more than 1,400 manufacturers, and the annual consumption of HBCD has reached 18,000 tons.
Since the 1990s, HBCD has been widely used in thermal insulation materials, electronic equipment, polyester textiles, automobiles and other fields. It has played an important role in improving fire resistance, reducing the risk of fire, and delaying the spread of fire, especially in EPS, For XPS insulation materials, HBCD is even more responsible for flame retardant performance.
Entering the 21st century, the characteristics of HBCD persistent organic pollutants have been confirmed by scientists. In May 2013, the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention decided to add HBCD to Annex A of the Convention and eliminate it. In July 2016, my country formally approved the "Amendment" to the Convention, clarifying that HBCD except for EPS and XPS flame retardants used in thermal insulation materials is completely prohibited. The 5-year special exemption for HBCD as EPS and XPS flame retardant will expire on December 25, 2021, when my country will completely stop the production, sales, import and export of HBCD.
However, it is not easy to eliminate HBCD.
According to data provided by the China Plastics Processing Industry Association, my country is the world's largest producer and marketer of EPS and XPS. EPS and XPS insulation materials have played an important role in the field of building energy conservation in my country, and it is also effective for my country to achieve carbon peaks and carbon neutrality in the future. Technical means. After the total ban on the use of HBCD, the development of the entire organic thermal insulation material industry will face severe challenges.
