wood 1 plastics 0

From Ords Research Dec 22 09.....maybe some good news at last for BXB!!!!


Brambles Limited

The fire retardant used in plastic pallets that compete with CHEP 22 December 2009 wooden pallets will be phased out of production. The two US producers of DecaDBE (Decabromine) have agreed to cease production following negotiations with the US Environmental Protection Agency.

DecaDBE is used as a fire retardant in plastic pallets used by iGPS in competition with CHEPs wooden pallets. The decision is a victory for CHEP which has previously pointed out claims that DecaDBE-based products including pallets may potentially cause cancer.

The New York Time and Los Angeles Time are both reporting that the two manufacturers of DecaDBE have committed to cease production, importation and sale of DecaDBE for most uses by December 2012 and for all uses by December 2013.

In addition to the agreement to cease production, a US
Congresswoman has introduced legislation to ban products
containing DecaBDE. The Decabromine Elimination Act would
phase out the chemical by 2013 and require companies to use safer alternatives. The bill has provisions to ensure that alternatives fire retardants used in the place of Decabromine are safe (and not just Decabromine by another name).

The Congresswoman's website states It is estimated that almost 100 million pounds of decabromine may be used in the manufacture of plastic pallets in the coming years. These plastic pallets are used primarily to transport food and decabromine-laden dust from plastic pallets has the potential to come into contact with food and food packaging.

Previously a US environmental group (EWG) that undertakes
research into toxic chemicals wrote to US supermarkets asking them not to use plastic pallets that contain decabromine, such as those used by iGPS. We are writing to ask that you determine whether or not you or your suppliers are currently using plastic pallets, and if so, we urge you to immediately stop the use of these pallets by you or your suppliers until proper FDA approvals are received.

DecaDBE is not essential for the production of plastic pallets. In fact CHEP has millions of plastic pallets none of which contain DecaDBE. There is no reason iGPS could not use an alternative fire retardant in future. However, if DecaDBE is banned it is likely to cause a significant and costly interruption to iGPS operations.