EMEA
Newsletter Resins & Additives for Coatings


TMPTA Re-Classification Update: Explore Laromer® Product Solutions

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Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA [CAS 15625-89-5, EC 239-701-3]) has been widely used in the coatings and printing inks industry for decades, particularly in UV-light- and electron-beam-cured formulations. The chemical industry prioritizes safe use of products and constantly updates compound labeling based on recent data.

TMPTA is now to be classified as a Category 2 carcinogen (H351) by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), effective in EU27, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland from December 1, 2023. This reclassification brings restrictions and implications for industries using TMPTA:

 

  1. Substances or mixtures containing 1% or more by weight TMPTA will be classified as Category 2 carcinogens (H351 – suspected of causing cancer).
  2. Where between ≥ 0.1% and < 1% by weight TMPTA has been intentionally added to a mixture, the amount present must be declared in Section 3.2 of the relevant product safety datasheet.
  3. Substances or mixtures containing between ≥ 0.1% and < 1% by weight TMPTA as an impurity of another substance do not require declaration of the amount present in Section 3.1 of the relevant product safety datasheet.
  4. Classification and declaration on safety datasheets of TMPTA-containing products in countries outside those listed above can differ. Please contact BASF if you need information.

 

BASF SE, as a reliable TMPTA supplier, enforces strict safety measures via safety datasheets (SDS) and technical datasheets (TDS). It is crucial to follow industry guidelines and regulations. If TMPTA content is not mentioned in the SDS or TDS relating to your application, please contact BASF SE.

We are dedicated to offering alternative solutions for our customers and are optimizing our portfolio with low-TMPTA or TMPTA-free products. Some applications might still need TMPTA-containing products due to their unique properties. BASF SE will continue supplying TMPTA  and selected TMPTA-containing products and provide support on safe handling.

Our Laromer® range offers customers easy access to innovative, low-TMPTA resins for various formulation needs. We aim to provide alternative solutions and continually improve our range with low-TMPTA and TMPTA-free products. Some specific examples and recent updates are listed below:

Product

Description

Key features

Residual TMPTA in wt%
Laromer® PO 33F

Reactive diluent

  • Low viscosity
  • Low shrinkage & odor
< 0.4%*
Laromer® LR 8863

Reactive diluent

  • Low viscosity
  • High flexibility & hardness
< 1.0%*
Laromer® PO 9139

Amine-modified polyether

  • High reactivity
  • Important for LED
Not intentionally added
Laromer® PE 9182 NEW

Polyester acrylate

  • High elasticity
  • Good adhesion
< 0.1%*
Laromer® PO 9183 NEW Polyether acrylate
  • Good resistance
  • Scratch resistance
  • Low extractables
< 0.5%*
Laromer® LR 8986 ECO

Epoxy acrylate

  • High hardness
  • Excellent resistance
< 0.3%*
Laromer® UA 9186 Urethane acrylate
  • High flexibility
  • Good adhesion
< 0.3%*
Laromer® UP 9178 NEW Unsaturated polyester
  • Excellent cost/performance
  • Good leveling & adhesion
Not intentionally added

*The information provided is based on our current knowledge and experience. Since various factors affect product processing and application, customers are advised to conduct their own investigations and tests. No guarantees of specific properties or suitability for a particular purpose are implied. Descriptions, drawings, photos, data, proportions, weights, etc., may change without notice and are not part of the agreed product quality.  The customer is responsible for ensuring compliance with any proprietary rights, laws, and regulations.

We are continuously developing new, low-TMPTA and TMPTA-free alternatives to help customers create products that qualify for industry-specific labels.

Explore our diverse range of solutions for TMPTA classification, especially our low-TMPTA or TMPTA-free products. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to address future needs. We will gladly discuss personalized solutions and provide detailed information for our EMEA customers.