REACH-ing for a Safer Alternative

For the past ten years, chemical manufacturers have been busily preparing REACH dossiers to maintain a regular supply of their chemical substances.

From 1 June 2018, the initial registration phase came to an end. Manufacturers now begin to prepare for changes that may occur in their supply chain, such as a limited supply of certain chemical substances or the complete withdrawal of chemicals used in their manufacturing campaigns.

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union regulation, which was enforced in 2006. This regulation evaluates the potential impact of chemical substances on human health and the environment. As the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) begins to enter the evaluation phase, we take a moment to discuss the impact of REACH with Robac Technology’s Business Manager, Kelvyn Soars, and Account Manager, Dr Amandeep Panaser.

What impact does REACH have on the rubber industry?
Since REACH was introduced, we began the task of registering our chemicals that are produced >1tonne quantities. Rubber accelerators need to be REACH registered as they are not fully consumed during the rubber manufacturing process. This means that they have to be registered as substances, because they can be present further down the supply.

To REACH register products, our chemical substances had to undergo extensive toxicological and eco-toxicological testing. We encountered challenges along the way, as our customer response to accepting REACH costs was lengthy due to the length of the supply chain.

Health and safety continues to be a core focus for Robinson Brothers. We consider the impact of our chemical substances on logistic service providers, customers, downstream users and the environment. Robinson Brothers have a dedicated Safety, Health and Environmental team who have expertise in regulatory affairs and REACH.

How will regulatory changes affect the footwear industry?
The footwear industry is a key user of rubber. Manufacturers are becoming more aware of the issues associated with traditional accelerators. These include: Type IV allergy concerns, nitrosamine generation and residual accelerators found in the final rubber article that impact their consumers and the environment. For this reason, such substances are being listed on the Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) list in Europe and Proposition 65 in California, in order to restrict the use in manufacturing supply chains. One example of this is the inclusion of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT). This chemical can be formed from the breakdown of MBTS (2,2-Dibenzothiazyl disulfide), which is commonly used in the footwear industry.

MBTS acts as a non-volatile vulcanisation accelerator in rubber applications. Toxicology studies have shown MBTS to be a skin sensitiser, which can cause dermatitis in some individuals. For this reason, footwear manufacturers are now on the quest to find safer alternatives.

Robac Technology is actively exploring alternatives to chemical substances that have been withdrawn, or at risk of being withdrawn, from the market. We work closely with our customers to find safer alternatives that match the technical performance of traditional accelerators in the end application.

Robac AS100 is a safer alternative to MBTS for the footwear industry. It contains no nitrogen and has been scientifically proven to be fully consumed within the vulcanisation process. Therefore, Robac AS100 eliminates two major concerns with traditional accelerators of:

1. Formation of n-nitrosamines

2. Type IV allergic reactions from accelerator residues

Robac AS100 complies BS EN 12868:2017 Child Use and Care Articles Standard for N-Nitrosamines and N-Nitrosatable substances. Robac AS100 is fully REACH registered, and Robinson Brothers has the ability to supply multi-tonne quantities.


Robinson Brothers Limited | West Midlands | B70 0AH UK
T: +44(0) 121 553 2451
E: [email protected]
W: www.robinsonbrothers.co.uk