Germany's VKE polymer producers association highlights open questions on plastics additives

Germany's VKE polymer producers association highlights open questions on plastics additives

Europe’s new chemicals legislation will “strangle” medium-sized companies, Germany’s VKE polymer producers association warned last week. Although the draft proposals for Reach exclude polymers from compulsory registration, there are still open questions on plastics additives, especially regarding the effect on plastics processors.

Dr Rьdiger Baunemann, manager of VKE’s plastics and the consumer department, gave an example where an imported cross-linking agent represents no problem for the processor when used in polyethylene pipes as an “intended use”.

However, if the same agent is used to cross-link a PE foam, it would not be an “intended use” and would involve the processor in “several E100,000 of costs to make the required investigations on the material” if the processor wants to maintain confidentiality on its use of the material.

VKE main managing director Dr Peter Orth pointed out that some companies in Eastern European countries about to enter the EU have “zero chance of surviving” with the Reach proposals as they stand.