MechChem Africa January-February 2021

⎪ Corrosion control and coatings ⎪

Phasing out lead in paint The UN’s eighth International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week highlighted the ongoing need for global action to reduce the use of lead paint. Clariant, which in the 1980s became one of the first companies to end the production of lead-based pigments, is partnering with the United Nations Environment Programme in a key project to accelerate the phase-out of lead in paint

EcoCortec ® , a European anticorrosion and bioplastics plant, is now offering new and improved customEcoSonic®VpCI ® -125HP Permanent ESD Film and Bags. Without proper precautions, electro- static sensitivedevices are at riskof damage from something as simple as a tiny static charge causedwhen taking themout of plas- tic bags or moving them across the produc- tion floor. Corrosion is another danger dur - ing manufacturing or shipment, especially in the presence of corrosives or fluctuating temperatures andhumidity levels on landor sea. Both corrosion and static can damage electronic components and lead to product rejection or premature failure. Fortunately, both of these problems can be efficiently I ntended to draw attention to the need for action on lead paints and other sources of lead exposure, the eighth International LeadPoisoningPrevention Week – an initiative of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, jointly led by the UN Environment Programme and the World Health Organization – was held in Muttenz in November last year. Asoneofthefirstcompaniestocompletely end the production and supply of lead-based pigments in the mid-1980s, Clariant (then Hoechst AG) has long supported the United Nations’ campaign toeliminate leadpaint and, through regulatory and legalmeasures, accel- erate progress towards its global phase out. Clariant is a supporter of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), hosted by UN Environment Programme, a global policy framework that aims to protect human health and the environment from the un- sound management of chemicals and waste, including through early planning support for chemicals management in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “Only 77 countries currently have legally binding controls on the manufacture, import and sale of lead paint, meaning that it is still permitted in a substantial number of coun-

solved by using one EcoSonic VpCI-125 HP Permanent ESD Bag from EcoCortec. These films and bags are manufactured from high-performance anti-static, corro- sion inhibiting materials for use in the pro- tection of static sensitivemulti-metal items suchas electronics. They containpermanent anti-staticproperties to immediately reduce or eliminate static buildup for as long as the films or bags are in use, independent of the presence of humidity. The EcoSonic VpCI-125 HP film forms a molecular corrosion inhibiting layer on metal substrates and does not interfere with the physical or chemical properties of electronic components. This replaces conventional rust preven- tries, presenting a continuing and future source of lead exposure for children and workers. That’s why we believe the SAICM/ Global Environment Facility project, ‘Global best practices on emerging chemical policy is- sues of concern under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management’, is an important initiative that sustainable and forward-looking companies should support,” says John Dunne, Clariant’s head of the Pigments business unit. Supporting small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to transition to a lead-free paint market is one focus for Clariant, along with an emphasis on providing safer solutions in developing countries where paint manu- facturing with lead-based materials is still considered a cost advantage. In such markets, legislation without providing alternatives can inhibit public and industry acceptance of safer solutions and could prevent eliminating lead paints alto- gether. The fear of manufacturers is they will not be able to effectively compete without lower cost alternatives. Clariant’s Hostaperm ® , Novoperm ® , Permanent and Hansa™ pigment ranges are entirely free of lead-based pigments. Many of the products were developed in the 1970s and 1980s to allow for efficient formulation

tatives suchasoils anddesiccants andallows product to be used immediately without cleaning or degreasing. The material is safe to use and does not contain any harmful Prop 65 ingredients. The ESD Films are available in custom- size bags (heat-sealable or zipper closure), film and tubing. Thicknesses range from 50-150 μm in maximum tube sizes of 1.3 m (50”). The properties of EcoSonic VpCI Films and Bags exceed requirements of MIL- PRF-81705 D for Surface Resistivity and Static Decay, with surface resistivity of 1.0x105 to1.0x1011anda staticdecay rate of less than 2.0 s at a 10% threshold. www.cortecvci.com of shades previously made with lead chrome pigments. “Clariant’s alternatives are both easy-to- dispersepowder pigments andpre-dispersed, liquid colour concentrates, which can be simply stirred into a clear varnish. The exist- ing equipment in local paint companies is therefore enough to allow lead replacement, meaning that clever reformulation efforts can save on having to invest in any new pro- duction hardware. This enables local paint companies to expand the colour gamut of their paint significantly without increasing costs. Enhanced sustainability canalso lead to cost savings andperformance improvements,” continues Dunne. Clariant will continue its active engage- ment in public policy dialogue on the issue as well as supporting SAICM in its push for globally harmonised legislation to set the course of themarket and support SMEs in the transition ahead. www.clariant.com/pigments.

ESD Film and bags overcome corrosion and static problems

January-February 2021 • MechChem Africa ¦ 31