China hits EU flame retardant supply Environmental regulators forced closure of factories in China, crimping supply and increasing prices of key raw materials for European foam manufacturers

摘要

Shortages of flame retardants have thrown another spotlight onto Europe’s reliance on imports, especially from China, and underline how swiftly policy changes halfway around the world can send prices rocketing. Price hikes for flame retardant additives-such as TCPP or tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate-which go into several chemical markets have taken European players by surprise. It is a trend with parallels to what is happening to trade in general from China, with global chemical markets affected by delays and surging shipping costs out of Asia.