In proactive response to a European regulatory change and customer demand for lower free formaldehyde product offerings, Allnex has been reviewing approaches to reduce free formaldehyde in select grades within its product portfolio.

Effective as of January 1st, 2016, formaldehyde will be re-classified in chemical products containing equal to or greater than 0,1% free formaldehyde. This re-classification is part of the 6th ATP (EU Commission Regulation 605/2014) amendments. This change impacts labeling requirements throughout the coatings value chain for materials containing free formaldehyde above this threshold.

Based on improved process capabilities at its manufacturing facilities, Allnex is announced that it will lower the free formaldehyde limits and reportable Safety Datasheet (SDS) values to less than 0,1% on the following melamine-formaldehyde resins:

• CYMEL® 303 LF
• CYMEL® 1168
• CYMEL® 1130
• CYMEL® 1133
• CYMEL® 1161
• CYMEL® 3020

The reduction of free formaldehyde in these products will not result in other change to product specifications as these more stringent requirements are able to be met within the current process capabilities at Allnex’s various plants. In addition, due to the lower free formaldehyde level achieved on CYMEL® 303 LF, CYMEL® 303 ULF (Ultra Low Formaldehyde) resin will be discontinued.

These lower free formaldehyde products are complemented by formaldehyde-free resins (CYMEL® NF 3041 and CYMEL® NF 2000) that Allnex already supplies to the market.

Allnex is committed to delivering sustained value to its customers and continues to evaluate various approaches to lower free formaldehyde levels in its product portfolio.