Avient to launch flame-retardant polymers at Fakuma 2026

Avient Corporation will launch Maxxam NHFR polyolefin formulations and Nymax FR REC flame-retardant recycled polyamide formulations at Fakuma 2026. The materials are intended to help manufacturers respond to tightening global fire-safety regulations and the shift from halogenated flame-retardant chemistry to non-halogenated alternatives. They target appliance manufacturers, electrical and electronics component producers, and material specifiers requiring qualified fire performance. The two technologies cover different base resins and combine fire-safety characteristics with features intended to support regulatory and sustainability objectives. Avient will present the new grades alongside its broader portfolio of polymer materials at the trade fair, scheduled for October 12–16.

According to the company, the new technologies address the market's move toward high-performance, non-halogenated polymer alternatives while reducing the need to choose between fire performance and sustainability targets.

"We often hear from customers who feel the tension between uncompromising fire safety and aggressive sustainability targets, and until now, they had to trade one for the other," said Hermann Fuechter, Senior Manager, Global Strategic Marketing, Specialty Engineered Materials at Avient. "With these new formulations, we can offer manufacturers flame-retardant materials that can meet the highest fire-safety ratings, with recycled content built in for the Nymax FR REC grades. This is the kind of progress that helps designers build the infrastructure the world needs."

Nymax FR REC recycled polyamide formulations

Nymax FR REC flame-retardant recycled polyamide grades provide non-halogenated fire protection for electrical and electronics applications. Depending on the grade, they incorporate between 42% and 77% post-industrial recycled content.

The portfolio includes PA6 and PA66 resins with glass-fibre loadings ranging from 15% to 40%, as well as unfilled options. Avient is also developing a staged expansion of the available colour range.

Key attributes of the Nymax FR REC grades include:

• UL 94 V-0 classification at 0.8 mm, a Glow-Wire Flammability Index of 960°C and comparative tracking index values of up to 600 V;
• non-halogenated flame-retardant chemistry designed to align with restricted-substance lists;
• non-PFAS formulations intended to anticipate emerging regulatory bans concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances;
• 42% to 77% post-industrial recycled content, supporting OEM sustainability targets and offering the potential to reduce product carbon footprint compared with virgin flame-retardant polyamide.

Maxxam NHFR polyolefin formulations

Maxxam NHFR non-halogenated flame-retardant polyolefin formulations are intended for appliance applications. Avient states that the grades can provide designers with greater flexibility to optimise part geometry, reduce wall thickness and assess opportunities to replace metal with plastics without compromising fire performance.

The formulations achieve a UL 94 5VA flame rating at 2.0 mm. This addresses stricter compliance requirements for unattended household appliances under IEC 60335 and UL 60335. They also reach a Glow-Wire Flammability Index of 960°C according to IEC 60695. Their non-halogenated chemistry is intended to reduce the risk of corrosive gas generation during a fire.

Additional materials presented at Fakuma

Avient will also present materials for healthcare, flame-retardant applications, lower-carbon solutions and aesthetic applications. Its healthcare portfolio includes GlideTech formulations designed to provide low coefficient-of-friction performance without PFAS, Trilliant HC healthcare thermoplastics offering chemical resistance, toughness, durability and UL 94 flame ratings, and Versaflex HC thermoplastic elastomers.

Versaflex HC grades are formulated without phthalates and are intended to provide chemical resistance and bonding capability in healthcare device applications.

The company's broader flame-retardant portfolio includes materials based on polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers. OnFlex NHFR non-halogenated flame-retardant TPEs can achieve UL 94 V-0 performance and combine flexibility with low moisture absorption for automotive, electronics and construction applications.

Avient will also show flame-retardant engineered polymers with recognised UL 94 classifications, RoHS compliance for electrical and electronics applications, and colourability for aesthetic or industry colour-coding requirements. Non-halogenated grades are available in the Maxxam FR and Bergamid FR portfolios.

Recycled, bio-based and aesthetic solutions

The sustainable materials portfolio covers thermoplastic elastomers, polyamides and polyolefins. Recycled-content technologies can be formulated with 9% to 100% post-industrial or post-consumer recycled content. Bio-based technologies contain 16% to 75% renewable, plant-derived content and are intended to reduce carbon footprint while retaining performance comparable with virgin materials.

For aesthetic applications, Avient will present Artisan pre-coloured thermoplastics. The high-gloss materials are designed as paint-replacement options and provide scratch resistance and ultraviolet stability. Gravi-Tech density-modified formulations provide metallic finishes for luxury packaging and are also available with recycled resin, recycled filler or both.

Avient technical experts will be available in Hall B5, Booth 5104, from October 12–16 to discuss application requirements and material-related challenges.