Titanium dioxide TMP-free - Regulatory driven innovation

 
"A challenge for KRONOS as TiO2 manufacturer is to achieve good dispersability and universal applicability in various coating systems. A production step to ensure compatibility is to apply an organic surface treatment. The standard for ink and coatings grades across competitors is TMP. In 2019, the manufacturers of TMP performed a study revealing a suspected risk of reproductive toxicity. Thereafter, the TMP manufacturers consortium initiated a self-classification of TMP as a "suspected reproductive toxicant (Rep. Tox. Cat. 2)". The typical TMP content on commercial TiO2 ink and coatings grades is between 0.2% - 0.5% by weight. The immediate impact of the self-classification of TMP for TiO2 producers and coatings customers is limited as the volume of TMP in the TiO2 and coatings does not trigger regulatory restrictions or labelling (except in certain very high TiO2 content applications, which should be checked separately). However, the mid- and long-term impact of the current TMP classification will likely impact the use of EU ecolabels in the future. Initially, derogations concerning TMP have been allowed by various ecolabels. In addition, recently Finland officially requested a higher classification for TMP as a reproductive toxicant category 1B. A decision on this request is expected summer 2024 with a potential effective date in 2026. If such a higher classification is adopted, certain limitations would likely take force. After the classification, KRONOS immediately started a development project for an alternative organic treatment. By this development work KRONOS and our customers are enabled to avoid unwanted substances. It was analyzed how TMP has remained the standard over decades and which advantages it combines. The substitute must compete against these characteristics to become an equivalent alternative. The requirements are diverse and from different areas, which is why KRONOS has put together a powerful interdisciplinary team from different departments. It was checked that the substance meets the regulatory and safety requirements of our international customers. Production reliability and therefore availability from multiple sources is also of crucial importance. The organics also act as a flow and milling aid in production as well as in conveyability for our customers. A very important factor for KRONOS in terms of product throughput but also for the customers good powder handling properties is essential. From a quality perspective reproducible and in compliance with the specification plays a major role. However, the all-important key is performance in customer applications. The surface treatment has a positive effect on dispersion in paints as it acts as a co-dispersant. Various inks and coating systems were evaluated for this purpose. Technical Service Department of KRONOS works closely with customers and tests the various state-of-the-art formulations for properties such as dispersibility, tinting strength & weather resistance or also classical optical parameters such as L*a*b value of the TMP-free variant against the reference. Identical or very similar behavior in applications was observed. Thus, the first innovative KRONOS TMP-free Grade has been launched at ECS 2023. "