Due to a new set of rules being introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which revolves around the use of PFAS, Trinseo has decided to create a new range of PFAS-free flame-retardant products. The new rules extend as far as announcing a first-time national standard for PFAS and drinking water.

It has been stated by officials in a news release that, ‘Wayne, Pa.-based Trinseo now is making two grades of Emerge-brand polycarbonate resin and one grade of Emerge-brand PC/ABS blend with those performance characteristics.’ The official also said within the report that, ‘the new materials have the same flame-retardant properties, as well as the resistance to heat, oil, grease and water that are related to PFAS.’

Trinseo managed to develop the new materials through the use of PCR substrates, whilst also retaining a similar performance structure to that of virgin materials. The officials commented on this saying, ‘the recycled content allows for waste reduction, carbon footprint reduction and recycling in the consumer electronics industry.’

It has been discussed that the next steps for this new material, will be for the product to be launched in the Asia-Pacific market. This will be beneficial to the growth and expansion of both the product and the company, as the new material is suitable for use within IT equipment, including electronic and electrical products, battery chargers and finally, voltage stabilisers.

The work that Trinseo has done so far, has highlighted the company as forward-thinking and innovative. In 2023, they posted sales of $3.7 billion and it has been shown that they employ 3,100 people worldwide. Furthermore, the company is well-rounded and this is displayed in their ability to manufacture a variety of engineering resins, styrenics and also, specialty materials.

Official commented, "These new products maintain those critical performance attributes while addressing the growing demand and regulatory pressures to reduce the use of PFAS, especially in the consumer electronics and electrical industries.”

Chief Technology Officer, Han Hendriks, stated, "Sustainable products are at the core of everything we do at Trinseo. By leveraging our extensive knowledge and technical expertise with [post-consumer recycled] products, along with our deep insights into the consumer electronics and electrical industries, we are accelerating the development of products without the use of PFAS or halogenated additives.” He continued, “This is done in response to the market's required shift towards sustainably advantaged solutions.”