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SMX successfully completed a pilot project demonstrating a unique marker technology for brominated flame retardants in plastic

26 January 2021

  • The International Bromine Council (BSEF) together with the North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA) commenced a study with SMX to add unique markers representing specific flame retardants for rapid identification of those brominated flame retardant even when formulated into plastics.
  • SMX technology provides vast number of potential marker configurations, are non-toxic and can be used at very low levels in the polymer system. The detection method leverages readily available and widely used industrial analytical methods.
  • SMX successfully demonstrated a unique marker system for three different commercially available brominated flame retardants each formulated with either in PA 66, black HIPS or ABS plastics. The markers and therefore individual flame retardant types, were readily detected in flame retardant blends, plastic pellets and extruded color coupons. The pilot test results showed the SMX markers  were efficiently dispersed in each matrix and that it did not change mechanical or fire performance properties of the plastics.
  • The SMX markers does not change the mechanical or fire performance properties of the plastics.
  • SMX, BSEF and NAFRA, plan to explore opportunities to scale chemical marking approaches and blockchain platform for BFRs in 2021.

 

Security Matters Limited (ASX: SMX) (Security Matters or the Company), a company focused on digitising physical objects on the blockchain to enable the tracking and tracing of materials, is delighted to announce it has successfully demonstrated an unique marker systems for three commercial brominated flame retardant systems in PA 66, black HIPS and ABS plastics. This is potentially exciting as a possible way to trace additives throughout the life cycle of plastics used in products.

The International Bromine Council (BSEF) together with the North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA), see the technology as an innovative approach to addressing the tracking of additives in the context of the Circular Economy.

Joel Tenney, BSEF Board Member comments:

“The SMX pilot is exciting and novel work.  The project demonstrated unique marker systems could be deployed to help whole value chains improve compliance, traceability and circularity when it comes to flame retardants.  More has to be done to demonstrate scalability but this is an excellent start.  Brominated flame retardants are valuable and lifesaving chemistries and the SMX project is yet another example of our industry commitment to bring added value and confidence to the marketplace.”

Haggai Alon, Founder and CEO comments:

“Flame retardant chemicals are an important component in manufactured products worldwide, since they protect human life and property. The use of flame-retardant chemicals has continued to provide value across a broad range of applications in the fields of aviation, automotive industry, construction, electronics and telecommunications.

The current study demonstrates the potential for companies to increase the percentage of their end of life products being recycled and transition to a closed loop economy for plastics, by using SMX technology to differentiate and sort between certified and uncertified flame retardants.

SMX is committed to working collaboratively with partners – BSEF and NAFRA to advance approaches for materials across various industrial applications containing BFR to to be recycled and reused in the circular economy.”

 

–Ends–

By order of the Chief Executive Officer.

For further information, please contact:

Corporate Enquiries

Tim C

PAC Partners Securities

P:

E:

Media Enquiries

Melissa Hamilton

Media and Capital Partners

P: 04 1775 0274

E: Melissa.hamilton@mcpartners.com.au

 

BSEF Enquiries

Dr Kevin Bradley

Secretary General – BSEF

Kbradley@bsef.org

 

 

NAFRA Enquiries

Jennifer Garfinkel

American Chemistry Council

E: Jennifer_Garfinkel@americanchemistry.com

 

About Security Matters Limited

Security Matters has commenced the commercialisation of its unique, patented technology that uses a hidden chemical-based ‘barcode’ to permanently and irrevocably ‘mark’ any object, be it solid, liquid or gas. The barcode is read using the company’s unique ‘reader’ to access the corresponding stored data, recorded and protected using blockchain technology.

Follow us through our social channel @secmattersltd

About BSEF – The International Bromine Council

BSEF – the International Bromine Council, is the global representative body for bromine producers and producers of bromine technologies. Originally founded in 1997, BSEF works to foster knowledge on the societal benefits of bromine and its applications. The members of BSEF are Albemarle Corporation, ICL Industrial Products, Lanxess and Tosoh.

 

Follow BSEF at Twitter @bromineinfo and LinkedIn.

 

About NAFRA – North American Flame Retardant Alliance

The American Chemistry Council’s North American Flame Retardant Alliance (NAFRA) was formed in March 2011 to serve as the lead advocacy organization in North America for flame retardant producers and users. NAFRA members include: Albemarle Corporation, ICL Industrial Products, and Lanxess. For more information on NAFRA visit: https://flameretardants.americanchemistry.com/.