Flame retardant additives are important in the building and construction industry. They are added to many products as part of the manufacturing process. Adhesives, flooring, furniture, foam insulation, transportation—all are end products in the building and construction industry, and all contain Great Lakes flame retardants.

Great Lakes closely monitors this industry to anticipate and respond to the changing needs of its manufacturers, and to stay current with the changing regulatory requirements for flame retardancy in each application. 

Contact our Technical Service team for expert advice on our flame retardant products for this industry or see our Product Guide.

Market Trends

• Increasing globalization – products produced in one region of the world are increasingly sold in other regions

• Pressure to harmonize standards – examples would include the European Union moving to a single regional flammability test to replace national standards

• Increasingly stringent flammability standards – examples are bedding and furniture standards being adopted by the State of California in the United States

Regulatory Updates

• The European Union and California bans on Penta and Octa-PBDE; Great Lakes Chemical Corporation will cease production of these products in 2004

• TB 603 in California increasing flammability resistance of mattresses; there is an effort to adopt a tougher mattress flammability standard in the U.S. in general

• A proposed revision of California TB117, which covers residential furniture has been drafted. There is an effort to make this a national standard in the U.S.
• The SBI test in the EU to replace individual national standards for building materials continues to move forward.