The Antimony Trioxide Decline: Turning Global Challenges into FR Innovation

Antimony Trioxide (ATO) is an additive commonly used with halogenated flame retardants across multiple industries, from plastics to electronics and construction. Acting as a synergist, antimony trioxide amplifies the effectiveness of many flame-retardant solutions.

Why industries are looking for antimony trioxide alternatives

Yet over the past several years, incorporating ATO into flame retardant systems has become more and more challenging. The reasons are steep price increases, less availability of supply, and a growing dependence on a limited number of global producers. As a result, multiple industries are actively searching for antimony trioxide alternatives for their flame retardants, which can bypass the aforementioned challenges while still offering optimal fire safety.

Turning challenge into innovation

At ICL-IP, we are constantly looking for ways to break new ground in the world of FR. Therefore, we decided to transform the ATO challenge into a catalyst for flame retardant innovation.

Through an intensive, multidisciplinary effort involving materials research, FR synergist screening, formulation redesign, and fire testing, our R&D team was able to develop low‑ATO flame retardants, and in several key applications, even fully ATO free brominated flame retardant technologies.  

Our team screened hundreds of organic and inorganic synergists, optimized bromine content, alternative synergist systems, and leveraged deep application expertise to create solutions that match, and in some cases outperform, traditional brominated FR/ATO systems.

Performance without compromise: key advantages

Realizing that global industries still require the advantages associated with ATO, we worked hard to make sure our solutions maintain the following characteristics:

• Strong mechanical performance: Including impact strength, elongation, modulus and more.
• Improved overall formulation cost: Cost-effective solutions in comparison with rising ATO prices.
• Maintaining thermal properties during polymer processing, high decomposition temperature.
• UL94 V0 compliance: UL94 V0 compliant self-extinguishing, zero flaming drips and short burn time across multiple thicknesses.

Driving next-generation FR solutions

Technological advancements are changing the flame-retardant landscape. We’re excited to be a key innovation driver, fueling meaningful change across numerous industries. As exhibited with ATO, our R&D expertise and vast FR experience allows us to respond to a major challenge with solutions that retain key advantages while lowering overall costs.

In terms of antimony trioxide alternatives, our work is ongoing, and our R&D continues to expand our portfolio of ATO‑free flame retardants and technologies. Stay tuned for news of more innovations and developments.

At ICL-IP, we support our customers with dedicated assistance. If you’re a compounder, OEM, formulator, or materials engineer looking to reduce your antimony trioxide dependency or move to ATO‑free flame retardants, get in touch with our experts at [email protected].

Want to delve into ICL-IP's flame retardant innovation? Check out our story catalog:

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