Ticona (Kelsterbach / Germany; www.ticona.com) has added two new “Riteflex” thermoplastic polyester elastomer grades to its portfolio of “XFR” halogen-free flame retardant polyesters.

Pete Bombik, Ticona’s polyester global business director, said the new grades are designed to help customers comply with anticipated hazardous substance restrictions and waste directives. Existing regulations already severely restrict the use of brominated flame retardants in electrical and electronic applications, a key end-use application for engineering polyesters.

“The plastics industry is evaluating alternative flame-retardant additives for use in electrical and electronic applications,” said Bombik. “Ticona uses an innovative halogen- and antimony-free flame retardant system in its XFR product line to replace conventional flame retardants.”

The new grades are Riteflex XFR 440, with a Shore D hardness of 40, and Riteflex XFR 655, with a Shore D hardness of 55.