ICL Supplying Specialty Grades of Powder and Compacted Polymeric Flame Retardant to EPS/XPS Markets

TEL AVIV, Israel, September 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

ICL Industrial Products ("ICL IP"), a segment of ICL (NYSE and TASE: ICL), today confirmed that its manufacturing plants in the Netherlands and Israel are fully operational and supplying commercial quantities of FR-122P, a new polymeric flame retardant. The company has also developed and is producing in its Netherlands plant two specialty grades of compacted FR-122P - one suitable for the EPS market and the other for the XPS market.

The ICL IP plant in the Netherlands is producing FR-122P in powder and compacted form at full capacity of 2,400 metric tonnes per annum. ICL IP's FR-122P plant in Israel, which is a scale-up of the Netherlands facility and produces the same high quality material, has also ramped up its production of FR-122P in powder form. The Israeli plant has production capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes per annum. Following requests from the market, compacted material for both EPS and XPS markets will be available from the Israeli facility in 2016. Both specialty grades of the compacted polymeric FR products were developed in accordance with applications requirements to optimize their performance and flame retardant needs. ICL IP has received very positive feedback from EPS/XPS manufacturers following their extensive testing of the new formulations.    

ICL-IP believes that there is sufficient commercial availability of the new polymeric products to meet demand by the EPS/XPS industry, and, therefore, a smooth transition to these new polymeric products can be effectuated without the need to extend the phase out of HBCD any longer.

ICL IP previously announced that it is ceasing production and phasing out sales of its HBCD product, FR-1206, excluding sales based on existing commitments to customers, and in line with the phase out dates of REACH and POP legislation.

ICL's FR-122P product is derived from a licensing agreement that Bromine Compounds Limited (a business unit of ICL IP) entered into with Dow Global Technologies LLC for the manufacture of FR-122P.

About ICL  

ICL is a global manufacturer of products based on specialty minerals that fulfill humanity's essential needs primarily in three markets: agriculture, food and engineered materials. The agricultural products that ICL produces help to feed the world's growing population. The potash and phosphates that it mines and manufactures are used as ingredients in fertilizers and serve as an essential component in the pharmaceutical and food additives industries. The food additives that ICL produces enable people to have greater access to more varied and higher quality food. Other substances, based on bromine and phosphates help to create energy that is more efficient and environmentally friendly, prevent the spread of forest fires and allow the safe and widespread use of a variety of products and materials.

ICL benefits from a broad presence throughout the world and proximity to large markets, including in emerging regions. ICL operates within a strategic framework of sustainability that includes a commitment to the environment, support of communities in which ICL's manufacturing operations are located and where its employees live, and a commitment to all its employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

ICL is a public company whose shares are dual listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NYSE and TASE: ICL). The company employs over 11,000 people worldwide and its sales in 2014 totaled US$6.1 billion. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.icl-group.com

About ICL Industrial Products 

ICL-IP manufactures and markets a broad range of industrial chemicals based on phosphorous, bromine, magnesium, chlorine and salts. ICL-IP's products are life-saving components that reduce the mercury emissions of coal-burning power stations, enhance the safety of deep-water oil and gas drilling operations, and minimize the fire hazard associated with consumer electronics, automobiles, furniture, insulation, and other widely-used products. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry uses bromine as an intermediary in the manufacture of drugs for the treatment of cancer, epilepsy, heart disease and other life-threatening conditions. ICL-IP is one of the world's largest phosphorous flame retardant providers and the industry's leading bromine company. ICL-IP supplies approximately one third of the world's elemental bromine. It employs approximately 2,500 employees in Israel and throughout the world.

Forward Looking Statement 

This press release contains forward-looking assessments and judgments regarding macro-economic conditions and the Group's markets, and there is no certainty as to whether, when and/or at what rate these projections will materialize. Management's projections are likely to change in light of market fluctuations, especially in ICL's manufacturing locations and target markets.  In addition, ICL is likely to be affected by changes in the demand and price environment for its products as well as the cost of shipping and energy, whether caused by actions of governments, manufacturers or consumers. ICL can also be affected by changes in the capital markets, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, credit availability, interest rates, etc.  

Press Contact
Amiram Fleisher
Fleisher Communications
+972-3-6241241
[email protected]

SOURCE ICL