FLAME RETARDANTS

The project’ s original objective of eliminating postdrying stickiness proved particularly important. A FR may perform exceptionally in laboratory fire tests, but if it creates processing difficulties on a production line, its commercial value becomes limited. The stickiness of the end result was a crucial factor in defining whether the product can be used at all.

Real production testing confirmed that improvements observed in the laboratory translated into practical manufacturing performance. Equally importantly, earlier experiences gathered from industrial environments had helped define the problem itself and shaped the direction of development from the outset.

This combination of laboratory science and application knowledge proved essential. Without a detailed understanding of production realities, identifying meaningful development targets would have been far more difficult.

Sustainability considerations

Assessing sustainability benefits is complex because outcomes depend heavily on raw material sourcing, production methods and regional supply chains. Nevertheless, there are clear advantages when comparing the new chemistry with conventional nitrogenand phosphorus-based FRs.

The biobased feedstock can be produced in almost any location on earth using various raw materials, while phosphorus mining happens mainly in only a few locations globally and is bound to geological deposits.

Furthermore, the sustainability of biobased production systems may continue to improve through advances in agricultural practices, feedstock processing and manufacturing efficiency. By contrast, the long-term sustainability of phosphorus-derived materials is likely to depend significantly on improved recycling technologies, particularly the recovery of phosphates from wastewater streams.

Expanding beyond plywood

Although softwood plywood served as the initial development target, the technology ' s potential extends further. Kiilto is currently adapting the chemistry for a wider range of cellulose-based materials, including fibre-based insulation products, panels, boards and wood composites. There are material and application-specific issues and limitations that need to be addressed case by case, but overall this might serve a broad range of industries working with cellulose-based materials. ●

J j

Riku Salomäki

RDI MANAGER

KIILTO riku. salomaki @ kiilto. com www. kiilto. com

SEP / OCT 2026

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