The “NANO IN” GREEN Program : « Environment, Health & Security » program

NANOLEDGE is one the first nanotech company to set up a research program on the Environmant, the Health ( employee & end user ) and the Security issues concerning the nanoparticules integration into composites..

• Exposure at working place

Nanoledge has done significant efforts for reducing release of nanoparticles to the air, for reducing contaminated waste & for the automation of production process in order to make the Nanoledge’s technicians/Engineers/PhDs secure at their working place.

• Exposure of Clients

Nanoledge has done some assessment of the risks of exposure to nano-particules with consumer & intermediate products including our nanobase resins. (use, breakage…).

There are very small amounts of nanoparticles in the finished products, of the order of 0.5% to 5%. The nanoparticules that are encapsulated in the matrix are immobilised by the presence of attracting forces between the nanotubes and the matrix. This is why there is a very low or practically nil probability of these nano-particles being released or of users being exposed to them.

For instance : A badminton racquet weight 67 gram. To make this racquet 10 gram of NANO IN RES are necessary. NANO IN RES contains 1% of carbon nanotubes which means 0.1 gram. The risk to inhale free carbon nanotubes (knowing that they are already encapsulated into the resin) is practically nil.

• Toxicity

Production of end product requires fewer chemicals, when using Nanoparticles is also working on green aspects of future materials, such as biocomposites & bioresins :
- Nanoparticle production requires fewer chemicals than those of conventional fillers,
- Nanoparticles enable better performance with less filler quantities,
- Nanoparticle multifunctionality enables reduction of number of different fillers and additives.

• BioPolymers / BioMaterials :

« BECOMA A NANOIST » for matching composites industry expectations on Environment & Performance »

Nanoledge is also working on green aspects of future materials, such as biocomposites & biopolymers :

Today, due to growing environmental care, composites industry has to take into account the environmental impact of the used and synthesised products on nature. In order to anticipate that market demand, Nanoledge decided to move ahead and to develop R&D activities on bio resins filled with nanotechs.

One of the flaws of bio/eco resins is their lack of mechanical properties. Nanoledge decided to take a stand for compensating for this drawback by introduction of nanoparticles. This means less chemicals for similar results and a significant reduction of toxicity for the environment.

Thus, Nanoledge will assist you in developing eco-friendly products for industrial nanoparticles based applications

- Thermosetting bio-polymers
- Thermoplastic bio-polymers
- Natural nanoparticles provide properties compliant with industrial needs
 

Comments on REACH at Nanoledge

Edited by K. SCHIERHOLZ

REACH follows a substance based approach: the obligations do not directly apply to preparations and articles (with the exemption of the requirements for Safety Data Sheets and exposure scenarios, which also apply to preparations) but to the substances contained in them.

The term "preparation" is used, if two or more substances are mixed together forming a mixture or a solution. Each of the substances used to fabricate a given preparation or article has to be considered for registration.

Obligations of NANOLEDGE

Under REACH, NANOLEDGE is regarded as “Downstream User”. The company does manufacture neither carbon nanotubes nor any other of the dispersion agents and resins used to formulate its products. All of these substances are purchased from leading chemical companies. Hence, NANOLEDGE does not have registration obligations towards the European Chemicals Agency.

When developing its unique dispersion technology Nano In, one main target was to provide a method that could be industrially scaled-up with the limited resources of an emerging company. This was achieved by selecting and combining commercial available chemicals and production assets in a highly inventive manner. Synthesis of specific chemicals could thus completely be avoided. All substances used in Nanoledge’s preparations are specialty chemicals having a high added value and applications in numerous areas. By virtue of Nanoledge’s dispersing agents being listed on most national chemical inventories, the company’s products are cleared for sale in virtually all countries.

Regarding REACH, Nanoledge’s suppliers will register all substances that fall into scope according to a timetable laid out in the regulation.
However, the implementation of REACH stipulates a new format of safety data sheets (SDS). Therefore, a number of measures must be adopted. In particular, NANOLEDGE will

- purchase products only from suppliers providing these new security data sheets,

- evaluate whether the company’s uses have been addressed by its suppliers and are covered by an exposure scenario attached to the safety data sheets; develop, when needed , chemical safety reports (including the development of exposure scenarios) for uses outside the conditions described in the exposure scenario included in the safety data sheets supplied to NANOLEDGE as soon as the company will use at least 1 tonne of carbon nanotubes and/or dispersion agents per year,

- within a period of 12 months adjust the handling of concerned substances to the scenario developed by the supplier,

- include the relevant information contained in safety data sheets and exposure scenarios received from suppliers in its own security data sheets provided to its clients.

Information in the supply chain

REACH will replace the current Safety Data Sheets Directive. The SDS requirements and responsibilities for downstream users who formulate preparations and supply them further down the supply chain will remain and be extended by the requirement to convey information from any relevant chemical safety assessment (in particular exposure scenarios).

Nanoledge is providing regularly updated safety information with the substances the company sells. The company makes sure that their customers have all the information necessary to use their products safely and it passes on relevant information within the supply chain.

Furthermore, the company is providing sufficient information to allow their carbon nanotube suppliers to prepare an exposure scenario. New information on hazardous properties of the substance or the appropriateness of risk management measures in the SDS that may be revealed by the company’s own hazard assessment projects or supplied by others will be communicated up the supply chain.
 

nanomaterials and REACH

More about ourEHS Plan at Nanoledge, visit www.nanoingreen.com