The objective of the project is to create a flame retardant that is both safer and more environmentally sustainable for application within the textile sector.

This initiative is driven by the specific requirements of a company that provides flame retardant formulations to the textile industry. In response to market demands and regulatory obligations, this company is seeking to substitute a brominated flame retardant, such as DBDPE or TBBPA.

The development of an alternative flame retardant will make use of a technology developed by KULeuven, which has shown that aromatic molecules can be extracted from plant material, in this case lignin. This technology fundamentally enables the production of diverse organic building blocks that can subsequently be modified to serve as a flame retardant, among other applications.

Centexbel's role

  • Developing small sample tests 
  • Upscaling bio FR synthesis
  • Performance test of FR treated textile
  • Evaluation of recyclability

Partners

Acknowledgements

The FONT project is part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and funded by EU.