Chemtura to stop HBCD flame retardant production

The US-based specialty chemicals maker Chemtura Corporation has announced its exit from the manufacture and sale of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) based flame retardant products.
 
“Increasing regulatory restrictions on the use of HBCD-based flame retardants and the commercial development of a viable and greener alternative, Chemtura's Emerald Innovation 3000 flame retardant, have resulted in an unsustainable commercial environment for HBCD.  Chemtura will permanently discontinue production of HBCD-based flame retardants during, or prior to, the fourth quarter of 2015. Sales of HBCD will continue until inventories are depleted,” said Chemtura in a press release.
 
Chemtura Corporation, with 2014 sales of $2.2 billion, is one of the leading global manufacturers of specialty chemicals.