Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs)

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are a mixture of chlorinated hydrocarbons with a chain length of 10 to 13 carbon atoms and a chlorine content of 40-70 percent. These compounds are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers in plastics, as well as lubricants and coolants for metal forming processes.

Medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) are a mixture of chlorinated hydrocarbons with a chain length of 14 to 17 carbon atoms and a chlorine content range of 40-70 percent.

In the clothing and footwear industry, both short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) and medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) are used as flame retardants or plasticizers in plastics, rubbers, inks, paints, adhesives and surface coatings. These compounds can also be found as impurities in degreasing agents for leather production. Apart from clothing and footwear, these compounds are used as additives in metalworking, lubricants or coolants used in metal cutting or metal forming.

Today, all over the world, the presence of SCCPs in finished products is restricted by legal regulations. For example, leading clothing and footwear brands have banned the use of SCCPs in their products. These compounds are classified as a persistent organic pollutant and a very persistent and very bioaccumulative substance. It is toxic to aquatic organisms at low concentrations and causes long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment at certain exposure levels. Repeated exposure to SCCPs or MCCPs causes skin dryness or cracking and eye irritation, but is generally considered to be of low toxicity to humans.

Based on chemical and physical properties similar to SCCPs, MCCPs appear to be persistent and bioaccumulate in the environment. It is considered toxic by some organizations and is subject to risk assessments.

In the face of these disadvantages, chlorine-free paraffin alternatives such as alkylphosphates and sulfonated fatty acid esters are used for specific applications. Natural animal, vegetable oils and mineral oils are used as substitutes in leather production. Polyacrylic esters and phosphates are used in paint and coating applications, aluminum hydroxide, antimony trioxide, acrylic polymers and phosphate containing compounds are used as flame retardant alternatives.

Our organization also provides testing services for chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.