The research and development directions of new halogen-free flame retardants mainly focus on environmental protection and high efficiency, multi-functional compounding, green process improvement, and adaptation to emerging fields, as follows:
Environmental protection and high efficiency: Halogen-free flame retardants such as phosphorus-based, nitrogen-based, and inorganic hydroxides have become the focus of research and development, with the aim of reducing the addition amount, lowering costs, and enhancing flame retardant efficiency at the same time. For instance, this goal can be achieved through nanotechnology, microencapsulation and other means. Nano flame retardants such as graphene and montmorillonite modification can increase the flame retardant efficiency by more than 30%. It is expected that the market share of halogen-free flame retardants will exceed 50% by 2030.
Multi-functional integration: Develop composite flame retardants with multiple functions such as flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and anti-dripping to meet the demands of complex application scenarios. The compounding of phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardants for flame retardancy or the synthesis of flame retardants integrating multiple elements such as P, N, and Si has become a hot spot for future development.
Green process: Utilizing bio-based raw materials and clean production techniques to reduce energy consumption and emissions during the production of flame retardants. Bio-based flame retardants made from lignin and starch have entered the experimental stage, with their carbon footprint reduced by more than 40% compared to traditional products.
Adaptation to emerging fields: With the development of emerging fields such as 5G communication, new energy vehicles, and smart homes, the demand for high-performance flame-retardant materials is growing rapidly. If the demand for flame retardants used in lithium battery separators surges, it is expected that the average annual growth rate in this field will reach 25% from 2025 to 2030. The demand for thin, light and highly efficient flame-retardant materials in fields such as aerospace and smart wearable devices will also drive the development of new flame retardants.
