The Formulated Polymers Blog

Courtesy of the British Furniture Confederation.

Background

The UK’s Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations (FFFSR) were originally introduced in 1988. They require upholstered furniture - such sofas, chairs, floor cushions and beds - sold in the UK to be made with covers that resist ignition when in contact with smouldering ignition sources (such as cigarettes) and small flames (such as matches or candles). In addition the filling materials used in all upholstered furniture - including sofas, chairs, floor cushions, scatter cushions and mattresses - need to meet higher ignition requirements. These requirements are designed to slow down the spread of fire and give you more time to escape in case of fire.

Formulated Polymers Products have announced that they are now basing all their natural rubber latex cold seal adhesives on low protein latex.

Poly-Vinylidene Chloride (PVDC) is a water-based coating often used to improve barriers and reduce permeability. It keeps food fresh, improves shelf life, and gives packaging an attractive high-gloss finish; all qualities that are behind the packaging industry’s preference for plastic. As a thermoplastic, PVDC is flexible, clear, and easily extruded. It clings well and resists oils and other chemicals, so it’s often used in pharmaceutical packaging. It’s easy to laminate, and if you need a more budget-friendly option, it can be mixed with cheaper monomers. One of the most popular of these consists of 85% vinylidene chloride and 15% vinyl chloride--more commonly known as Saran wrap.

Fretwork comprises organisations that apply flame retardant treatments to textiles and those who provide the chemical formulations for those treatments. These businesses play a vital role in ensuring furniture manufactured in the UK meets the stringent flammability requirements.

Will it happen? Won’t it happen? Will it be an organised deal, or no deal? What on earth is Brexit, and what do we all do about it? At Formulated Polymers, we have a plan. Let’s take a look.

The following article was published by CTIF The International Association of Fire and Rescue Services on the 26th of February 2019.

This article reinforces the need for flame retardant chemicals. In the UK sofas have been treated with flame retardant chemicals for many years and as a consequence the number and severity of fires is significantly lower than in most other countries.

FP 2177 has had a remarkable journey since it was launched in April 2017. One of the bestselling water-based coating for cardboard and paper, this carefully crafted anti-slip material has proved to be an excellent performer. Here’s an update on the glue that has made real changes in the airline industry.

The next five years will continue to see big changes in the packaging industry for several different reasons. Packaging producers have to adjust to reduce plastic demand from manufacturers and consumers. This means continued development of alternative; more environmentally-friendly forms of packaging are in demand. At the same time, they will have to increase production capability to meet the growing packaging demands of convenience food manufacturers and online retailers and shoppers. They also have to find ways of reducing manufacturing pollution, improve recycling options, and build brands with greater environmental awareness.

In the manufacturing, food retail and envelope sectors, cold seal packaging is becoming the preferred option for cost effective, safe, secure, and high-speed packaging options. With manufacturers producing cold seal packaging machines for high volume, businesses both large and small can benefit from using cold seal packaging technology.

Sometimes, even being the best is just not good enough. Although the EU has for years had in place regulations stipulating all furniture upholstery, foams and plastics must meet certain fire-retardant principles, it is only the UK and Ireland that included an open flame test within their furniture manufacturing laws. Theoretically this makes the UK and Ireland’s manufactured furniture the safest in the European Union.