Extrusion International 6-2022-USA

34 Extrusion International 6/2022 34 INDUSTRY NEWS Strategic Agreement Concluded for the Supply of Nofia ® Flame Retardant Additives  FRX Innovations, a world leader in eco-friendly flame retardant so- lutions, and Polymer Compounders Limited (“PCL”) announced that they have entered into a non-bind- ing Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to provide PCL with a sub - stantial amount of FRX’s patented, non-toxic and non-leaching Nofia® brand of flame retardant additives. Under the terms of the agreement, FRX will provide PCL with Nofia® with approximate values starting in Q4 2022. Gross profit margins of this agreement are expected to be in line with the Company’s histori- cal financial performance of similar commercial agreements. In addition to the commercial agreements of the MOU, the par- ties will form a strategic alliance aimed at developing new applica- tions for PCL’s groundbreaking No- toxicom® family of polycarbonate alloys within the UK and European Union. This agreement aims to cap- italize on the estimated USD $1.5B conversion away from brominated flame retarded polymers to sustain- able solutions like Notoxicom ® . This conversion is expected to occur over the next 12 to 36 months, resulting from recent legislation passed in the EU and US. This agreement solidifies a strategic alliance between two companies that are at the forefront of a seismic shift in an industry that is being disrupted. Governments around the world are pushing through new legislation that is forcing major OEMs in global indus- tries to switch from brominated flame retardants to more sustainable and environmentally friendly products. FRX Chief Executive Officer Marc Lebel commented, “This is a water- shed moment for both FRX and PCL as we join forces to meet what we anticipate will be an unprecedented change in the global flame-retardant industry and a substantial demand for our solutions. By 2024, major OEMs around the world will shift to products such as Notoxicom ® which is based on FRX’s Nofia ® , as sweeping regulatory changes banning the use of brominated flame retardants come into effect around the world. Notoxi- com® is especially well suited to capi- talize as it not only offers outstanding flame-retardant properties down to 0.8mm in part thickness, but also de- livers up to 30 degrees C improvement in heat distortion compared to other bromine-free solutions. This combina- tion allows the device designer to dra- matically reduce the amount of plastic used in a given device which is both a cost savings and great for the planet. Moreover, Notoxicom® is exception- ally well suited for applications where it is in contact with water, like in ma- rine battery cases, because FRX’s Poly- meric solution, will not migrate out of the polymer alloy over time.” PCL Managing Director, Grahame Houlder said, “We are really excited to be entering into this MOU with FRX. This MOU represents the next step in the growing partnership that we have developed with FRX over the last few years and allows us to secure our Nofia ® supply in advance of the considerable growth expected for Notoxicom ® over the next 12 to 36 months. In addition, working in part- nership with FRX will allow us to grow the adoption of our Notoxicom ® fam- ily of products more rapidly. This is a true win-win for both companies”. Polymer Compounders Ltd www.polymer-compounders.com FRX Innovations www.frx-innovations.com NewManaging Director  REPI announced the appoint- ment of Dimitris Dounis as new Managing Director of the US based company to further support the growth in North and South America. Dounis brings over twenty years of extensive experience in the chemi- cal and polyurethanes industries. He holds a degree in chemical en- gineering and polymers science and has held various executive positions in multinational companies. REPI will leverage his extensive know-how and network in the chemical industry to boost its strat- egy to become a reference partner for liquid colour and performance additive solutions in the Americas. REPI entered the United States mar- ket with own offices, laboratory and technical service department back in 2003 to introduce the colour ranges for polyurethane applications. The line of products for thermoplastic poly- mers followed soon after and in 2012 a brand new facility with state of the art laboratory, manufacturing, as well as prototyping capabilities for PET pack- aging applications, was inaugurated in Gastonia, North Carolina. Today the American affiliate serves the Americas with the complete product range, di- rectly or through established partners. REPI GROUP www.repi.com Dimitris Dounis