Huntsman Launches New Fire-Retardant TPU for Consumer Electronics

Huntsman Polyurethanes has developed a new fire-retardant, halogen-free thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that complies with current safety standards for cable jacketing materials used in the IT and consumer electronics sector.

Complying with key criteria set out in the European RoHS directive and US VW1 standard, IROGRAN® A95P5003DP meets demand for a durable cabling material that is free from hazardous substances. Far safer in the event of a fire than conventional materials like PVC and brominated flame-retardants, IROGRAN® A95P5003DP is a low-smoke solution that is easy to process.

The new technology will be launched at Wire 2010 (April 12-16 in Dusseldorf, Germany), the international wire and cable exhibition. IROGRAN® A95P5003DP can be extruded at high speeds on conventional PVC processing equipment and has a good surface quality. This makes it ideal for use in both cable power systems and injection molding for electronic devices including plasma screens, mobile phones, MP3 players, digital cameras and laptops.

Franz Michel, TPU Account Manager, Mid-Europe at Huntsman Polyurethanes said: “The European cabling market is evolving rapidly. New legislation is impacting on the materials and manufacturing techniques used in many sectors. In consumer electronics, many of the larger equipment producers have publicly committed to the elimination of vinyl plastic (PVC) and brominated flame-retardants (BFR) from cables. These changes are driving manufacturers to develop long-term partnerships with trusted raw material suppliers that understand the challenges and can offer compliant, high-performance products that meet new mechanical, safety and environmental standards.”

“Cabling is a key part of Huntsman’s technical extrusion business. As such we have an in-depth knowledge and a vast portfolio of products that can be tailor-made to meet any performance criteria, in any part of the market. As well as continuous processed options, for added convenience and flexibility, our thermoplastics can be mass-produced on a batch basis delivering specific benefits like superior surface quality and dimensional stability.”