ICL-IP Launches Polyquel(TM) Eco-Friendly Polymeric Flame Retardants

BEER SHEVA, Israel, May 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ICL Industrial Products ("ICL-IP"), the world's leading manufacturer of flame retardants, today announced the development of Polyquel(TM) - a series of dust-free, fully-active polymeric flame retardants. These eco-friendly, next-generation products are an early success of ICL-IP's flame retardant development initiative launched in mid-2009 as part of its commitment to develop a broad range of new, innovative and environmentally-friendly chemical-based solutions.

ICL's flame retardants are used to reduce the risk of fire in electric and electronic goods, plastic components, textiles and many other products. By preventing fire in televisions, laptop computers, printed circuit boards, furniture, insulation, and other mass-market goods, flame retardants save lives and protect against the destruction of property.

"Each product in our new Polyquel(TM) series of products will meet or exceed the industry's most stringent environmental guidelines, including all risk assessment procedures according to Europe's strict REACH guidelines," commented Mr. Ilan Elkan, ICL IP's VP Flame Retardants. "As eco-friendly, effective and cost-effective products, we believe they will provide a comprehensive, sustainable solution to the market's real need for flame retardants."

Mr. Elkan continued, "The Polyquel(TM) range is just the latest in a series of new products and technologies that are emerging from our intensified investment in sustainability and environmental protection - products aimed at raising the bar for safety and environmental quality. During 2009, we launched our Merquel(TM) products for the control of mercury emissions from coal-powered electricity plants, as well as a broad variety of water treatment and purification solutions. We believe these new areas represent a significant growth opportunity and intend to continue rolling out exciting new solutions for the world's environmental challenges."

Polyquel(TM) flame retardants are highly effective for use in polyolefin, styrenics, engineering thermoplastic, and thermoset components. As an eco-friendly, sustainable product, its use will be in full compliance with the highest environmental standards set by government agencies and OEMs throughout the world. In addition, to assure their continuing compliance with evolving standards, ICL-IP maintains an ongoing dialog with government regulators and stakeholders. The first products in the Polyquel(TM) series are currently being field-tested with several customers.

About ICL Industrial Products

ICL Industrial Products (ICL-IP) is the industrial chemicals arm of ICL, a major chemical company active in the global markets of performance and specialty chemicals, fertilizers and metallurgy.

ICL Industrial Products produces and markets bromine and bromine-based products, phosphorous based products, magnesia products and chlorine-based salts. ICL-IP business units produce and market Flame Retardants; Drilling Fluids; Space & Soil Fumigation Products; Biocides; Pharmaceutical and Agrochemical Intermediates; Dead Sea Salts.

ICL-IP draws on the vast resources of the Dead Sea, one of the world's largest and most concentrated resources of bromine, magnesium and potassium salts. ICL-IP supplies more than a third of the global demand for bromine. The company's economies of scale are unmatched in the industry; its plant by the Dead Sea is the world's largest bromine plant, and is back-integrated to chlorine (bromine production's main raw material) through its own and ICL Group's chlorine sources.

    Contact:
    Mr. Ilan Elkan
    VP Flame Retardants
    Tel:    +972-8-6297802
    Mobile: +972-524-708802
    email: [email protected]

SOURCE ICL Industrial Products