US specialty chemical company Albemarle has entered into a long-term agreement with Israel Chemicals (ICL) for the supply of a polymeric flame retardant (PolyFR).

The product, which Albemarle sells under the name GreenCrest and ICL markets as FR122P, is regarded as a sustainable replacement for the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a prohibited substance under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under the EU’s REACh legislation.

The construction industry currently uses HBCD-based flame retardants in extruded polystyrene (XPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam insulation – the two applications are the biggest consumers of HBCD worldwide.

Under the terms of the contract, Albemarle will supply ICL with bromine for the production of GreenCrest. The agreement remains subject to certain preceding conditions, including approval from Israel’s antitrust authority.

The companies formed a manufacturing joint venture in August 2014 for both GreenCrest and FR122P. They own and operate two plants at ICL’s sites in Terneuzen, the Netherlands, and Neot Hovav in Israel.

Raphael Crawford, president of Albemarle’s bromine specialties global business unit, said the agreement combines Albemarle’s expertise in compaction technology, technical service capabilities and its unique bromine resource position in Magnolia, Arkansas, USA, and the Dead Sea with ICL’s history of manufacturing excellence.

ICL Industrial Products’ executive vice president, Anat Tal, added that the deal will increase availability of the PolyFR to the EPS and XPS industries and meet the growing demand for next-generation products.

Albemarle and ICL said they will continue to provide independent marketing, sales and technical service to their respective customers in Europe and around the world.