Robac Technology: Offering Safer Solutions to Prevent Exposure to Toxic Nitrosamines

It is well documented that traditional rubber accelerators can produce toxic nitrosamines during the manufacturing of rubber goods. Regulatory bodies and research groups have conducted many studies to measure the toxicity and subsequent impact of exposure to nitrosamines – some of which are still ongoing today.

Nitrosamine impurities such as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) are of concern due to their potential to cause cancer. Regulatory bodies across the world have assigned strict regulations in place for the use of specific rubber accelerators in certain applications to protect workers and consumers, such as:

• BS EN 12868:2017 Child Use and Care Articles Standard for N-Nitrosamines and N-Nitrosatable substances.
• German BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) for use in the manufacture of toys and toy balloons, as listed under Special Category section 2.5.3.2.2., maximum allowed is 0.5%.

Robinson Brothers' rubber accelerators division, Robac Technology, manufactures safer rubber accelerators that do not release nitrosamines or n-nitrosatable compounds. These bespoke accelerators have been developed to protect the wellbeing of those handling rubber materials and consumers of rubber goods.

With products continually being developed to suit consumer’s needs, regulatory bodies across the world are reviewing their standard and restrictions of the use of certain traditional rubber accelerators to protect the consumers of rubber footwear, gloves, condoms, catheters, balloons, baby pacifiers, baby teats, rubber toys, and teething toys. Robac Technology rubber accelerators have been tested for use in applications, as described below.

Robac AS100

• FDA approved accelerator for use in natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene and nitrile butadiene rubber where the formation of N-nitrosamines and type IV allergens from conventional accelerators are of prime concern.
• Compliant with the following standards:
  • BS EN 71:2016 Safety of Toys Standard.

Robac Arbestab Z

• Recommended for use in the prevulcanisation of high ammonia natural rubber latex to overcome the concerns relating to health issues, including N-nitrosamines and Type IV allergens.
• Found to be an effective antioxidant in peroxide and radiation prevulcanised natural rubber lattices.
• Compliant with the following standards:
  • BS EN 71:2016 Safety of Toys Standard.
  • BS EN 12868:2017 Child Use and Care Articles Standard for N-Nitrosamines and N-Nitrosatable substances.
  • Approved by the German BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) for use in the manufacture of toys and toy balloons, as listed under Special Category section 2.5.3.2.2., maximum allowed is 0.5%.

Robac TINTD (Tetraisononylthiuramdisulfide)

• A new nitrosamine safer rubber accelerator, currently offered as a development product.
• Scale-up studies are currently underway.
• Nitrosamine safer thiuram, which can be used as a replacement for Tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) and Tetrabutyl thiuram disulfide (TBUT).

Product samples are available upon request for application testing.

Their team of highly-skilled Polymer Chemists can provide technical solutions for product application and safety needs. Want to learn more? Then, meet the team at DKT IRC 2022.

DKT IRC 2022 | Nuremberg | 27-30 June 2022 | Click here to schedule in a meeting

Robinson Brothers will be co-exhibiting with Azelis – their chosen agent for Germany, France, Belgium and Turkey. Meet the team at Stand 8-303. Robac Technology product range includes a range of rubber accelerators offering safer solutions or cost-effective alternatives. Click here to view our rubber accelerators product range.

About Us

Robinson Brothers is a leading manufacturer of rubber accelerators, speciality/fine chemicals and high impact aroma chemicals. We offer a range of technologies, including: Carbon disulfide chemistry, Heterocyclic chemistry, Hydrogenation, Thiolation – click here to find out more.

"We are a member of the British Rubber &
Polyurethane Products Association and British Footwear Association"

 

Robinson Brothers Limited | West Midlands | B70 0AH UK
E: [email protected]
T: +44 (0)121 553 2451
External link: https://www.robinsonbrothers.uk/robac-technology/published-papers/-nitrosamine-safe-thiuram-disulfide
External link: https://doi.org/10.5254/rct.18.82617
Article Citation: Ranvir Virdi, Boyd Grover, and Kiruan Ghuman (2019) “NITROSAMINE SAFE” THIURAM DISULFIDE. Rubber Chemistry and Technology: January-March 2019, Vol. 92, No. 1, pp. 90-109.

External link: https://www.dkt2021.de/en/index.html