BluCure was launched at the JEC Europe show in Paris earlier this year.
The technology has been developed for users of organic peroxide curable unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins and provides an alternative to widely used cobalt-based curing systems. (See AkzoNobel and DSM launch BluCure cobalt-free curing technology.)
Akzo Nobel reports that there has been major interest in the technology in the European and Asian composites market because of the increasing environmental pressure on the use of cobalt.
Under Europe's REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) legislation cobalt salts like cobalt octoate are under evaluation by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This has already initiated two reclassifications. The latest of these took place last month and is a reclassification to “reproductive toxin cat. 2” under CLP. The ECHA evaluation process by not complete and further reclassification might take place. Additional action by the authorities in China and other Asian countries is anticipated as a result.
The BluCure brand covers cobalt-free resin curing technologies and products made using these. The BluCure quality seal guarantees that products are 100% cobalt-free. BluCure is available through license to composite component and resin manufacturers.
