A new, safer solution with exceptional fire performance: Clariant's Exolit™ AP 422 A

• New ammonium polyphosphate flame retardant with an improved sustainability profile for intumescent coatings and insulation materials
• Innovative composition provides superior fire resistance across multiple applications

MUTTENZ, June 5, 2026 - Clariant launched it’s next-generation SVHC-free[1] flame retardant, a safer solution that provides superior fire resistance and meets the stringent demands of modern industries.

In 2023, melamine was classified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) making Exolit AP 422 A a valuable asset for the firestop industry, enabling the creation of coating and sealant products that maintain high performance standards while being SVHC-free.

In anticipation of the current and future regulatory challenges around melamine, Clariant has been proactively working on this innovative solution for several years, developing an SVHC-free alternative to the existing Exolit AP 422 flame retardant.

“Exolit AP 422 A upholds the trusted reliability that Exolit products are recognized for in the market and ensures that our clients’ fire protection offerings remain competitive, particularly in terms of chemical compliance. It allows manufacturers to adapt to evolving legislation while preserving the effectiveness of their fire safety solutions,” said Sebastian Moschel, Clariant’s Technical Business Development Manager Passive Fire Protection.

The new Exolit AP 422 A addresses the concerns surrounding melamine as a Substance of Very High Concern at the same time as providing superior fire resistance across multiple applications including intumescent coatings, firestop sealing systems, and PIR insulation panels. Its non-halogenated nature helps minimize hazardous emissions, providing safer usage in critical industries.

Customers that have already incorporated Exolit AP 422 A into their firestop products describe the new SVHC-free flame retardant as a significant step forward, as it provides reliable fire protection performance at the same time as aligning with sustainability commitments. One client commented on their new competitive edge in the market, by being able to offer safer, more environmentally friendly solutions to customers.

Flame retardants are found in many applications around us, including electronic devices; transportation systems and buildings. As e-mobility expands, they provide safer protection for everything from charging points to circuit breakers. With evolving chemical regulations like REACH, Exolit AP 422 A provides manufacturers a solution designed to create more sustainable, superior and fully compliant flame-retardant formulations, ensuring reliability and trust.

Exolit™ IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT.

[1] SVHC-free according to Article 31 of the REACH Regulation as it contains less than 0.1% melamine.