Unibrom Polymer Granted Two National Invention Patents

Recently, Shandong Unibrom Polymer Co., Ltd. (“Unibrom Polymer”) was granted two invention patents by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for technologies independently developed by the company:

1.“Preparation Method of a Modified Piperazine Pyrophosphate-Based Halogen-Free Eco-Friendly Flame Retardant with High Thermal Stability”

2.“An Integrated Synergistic Flame-Retardant and Reinforcing Antimony Trioxide Substitute Flame Retardant and Its Preparation Method”

This is a key achievement in Unibrom Polymer’s continued work in flame-retardant materials and marks breakthrough progress in two core technology areas: halogen-free flame retardancy and antimony trioxide substitution. 

Shandong Unibrom Polymer Co., Ltd. focuses on the R&D, production, and sales of high-performance flame retardants, functional masterbatches, and advanced polymer materials. Guided by innovation-driven development, the company is committed to independent R&D and commercialization of halogen-free eco-friendly flame-retardant materials. 

01 Breaking the Thermal Stability Bottleneck

Modified PAPP: Setting a New Benchmark for Halogen-Free Flame Retardancy 

Piperazine pyrophosphate (PAPP), a typical phosphorus-nitrogen halogen-free flame retardant, is widely favored in eco-friendly flame retardancy for being halogen-free, low-smoke, and highly efficient. However, conventional PAPP has two major limitations: insufficient thermal stability, with a low initial thermal decomposition temperature, making it prone to decomposition and discoloration in high-temperature processing such as PP, which severely affects material performance; and poor compatibility, as its highly polar structure is poorly compatible with nonpolar polyolefin matrices, causing uneven dispersion and reduced mechanical properties. 

To address these industry challenges, Unibrom Polymer’s R&D team developed a novel technical route: “amino silane + chitosan dual pretreatment + isocyanate bridging modification.” Core highlights include: 

(1) Dual pretreatment: KH550 silane coupling agent and chitosan solution jointly create reactive anchors on the PAPP surface and improve interfacial compatibility.

(2) Composite filler reinforcement: calcined modified kaolin and magnesium hydroxide provide both flame-retardant synergy and mechanical reinforcement.

(3) Isocyanate bridging: IPDI (isophorone diisocyanate) acts as a molecular bridge, covalently bonding the modifier and PAPP to significantly improve interfacial adhesion and thermal stability. 

In PP composites, the product delivers outstanding performance: limiting oxygen index (LOI) 40.97%–42.83%, notched impact strength 9.53–10.45 kJ/m², tensile strength 34.88–36.61 MPa, elongation at break 66.74%–68.53%, and flexural strength 43.35–45.26 MPa. Notably, after 240 h of hygrothermal aging at 85°C/85% RH, mechanical property retention remains above 95%, fully demonstrating excellent weathering stability. 

02 Breaking Antimony Dependence

Antimony Trioxide Substitute: A Win-Win for Flame Retardancy and Reinforcement 

Bromine-antimony flame-retardant systems have long dominated the industry due to their high efficiency. However, antimony trioxide faces resource scarcity, price volatility, potential biotoxicity, and environmental restrictions, making efficient antimony substitutes an urgent industry need. Unibrom Polymer’s R&D team successfully developed an integrated synergistic flame-retardant and reinforcing antimony trioxide substitute, breaking the industry trade-off that improved flame retardancy must compromise mechanical properties. 

Three core innovations:

1.Ni-Fe rare-earth composite catalytic system: Ni-Fe-based composites with rare-earth cerium greatly improve catalytic char formation and build a multi-layered flame-retardant barrier.

2.Epoxy-amino interfacial chemical bonding: amino groups introduced onto the functionalized composite powder surface covalently bond with epoxidized Ni-Fe composites, fundamentally solving powder agglomeration.

3.Integrated flame-retardant and reinforcing design: the functionalized composite powder transfers stress to enhance mechanical strength while synergistically providing flame retardancy and smoke suppression, achieving a “1+1>2” effect. 

In PP: V-0 rating, LOI 30.28%–32.56%, Izod impact strength 8.16–8.37 kJ/m², tensile strength 37.95–38.79 MPa. In ABS engineering plastics: V-0 rating, LOI 33.48%–34.04%, impact strength 14.21–14.75 kJ/m², tensile strength 56.13–56.71 MPa. After 20 high-low temperature cycles (-40°C to 86°C), mechanical property retention remains high, fully validating broad applicability and weathering stability. 

03 Innovation-Driven Development

Building Core Competitiveness Through Technology 

These two invention patents strongly confirm Unibrom Polymer’s strategy of “technology-based enterprise and innovation-driven development.” Over the years, the company has continued to increase R&D investment, build a professional and efficient R&D team, and pursue breakthroughs in flame-retardant materials. 

The dual patent grants not only enrich the company’s IP portfolio but also carry significance in the following areas: 

• Technology: breakthroughs in the two technical bottlenecks of halogen-free flame retardants—thermal stability and compatibility.
• Products:formation of two core product matrices—high-thermal-stability halogen-free flame retardants and antimony trioxide substitutes.
• Market: efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective flame-retardant solutions that enhance competitiveness.
• Strategy:alignment with China’s dual-carbon strategy and environmental policies, supporting the industry’s green transformation and upgrading. 

Unibrom Polymer will continue to uphold its corporate spirit of continuous improvement and pursuit of excellence, deepen its work in flame-retardant materials, launch more competitive products and solutions, and join customers in creating a green, safe, and sustainable future.