CARBON BLACK WITH LOW PAHs

The term polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) refers to a class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, tar and gasoline. PAHs can be found in consumer products. They are not added intentionally and do not perform any specific function, but are produced by the incomplete combustion of the organic substances.

Industrially manufactured Carbon black is produced by pyrolysis of hydrocarbons at high temperatures under controlled process conditions.

The lower the temperature in the reactor and the less oxygen is available, the more incomplete PAHs are burned (high amount of PAHs), the higher the tempature, the more PAHs are burned (low amount of PAHs).

There are various regulations that stipulate limitation of PAHs in specific products and in the environment. The EU REACH regulation contains provisions on the handling of PAHs. All our Carbon black grades are REACH-registered.

CAS number                                      : 1333-86-4

EG number                                        : 215-609-9

REACH registration number            : 01-2119384822-32-XXXX

Carbon Blacks with low levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are so called P-type grades and are required in several sensitive application fields.

According to different market regulations some applications (household, tools, inks, plastics coming into contact with food and selected rubber parts) require a limited concentration of PAH.

We are able to provide grades according to EU Regulation 10/2011, FDA 21 CFR 178.3297, Mercosur No 15/10 Colorants No 32/07, Swiss SR 817.023.21, Japan, China GB9695-208 and the Oeko-Tex 100 Standard.

 

Regulation EU 10/2011 (Europe)

For plastics, the Regulation EU 10/2011 has harmonized the purity criteria applicable to Carbon blacks used in plastics coming into contact with food. This means the same purity criteria and restrictions are applicable to Carbon black in all the countries of the European Union.

The purity requirements and specifications for compliance are:

  • Toluene extract <0.1%* (according to ISO 6209)
  • Cyclohexane extinction at 386 nm <0.02 for 1 cm cell or <0.1 for 5 cm cell using the German BfR method
  • Benzo(a)pyrene <0.25 mg/kg (250 ppb)
  • Primary particles of 10-300nm, aggregates of 100-1200nm, agglomerates 300nm+
  • In the final food contact item, a maximum of 2.5% Carbon black by weight is allowed

 

FDA Carbon Blacks – 21 CFR 178.3297 (United States of America)

The U.S. Food and Drug Aministration has listed to 2 types of Carbon Blacks for indirect food-contact applications, where carbon black is used as pigment in colorants for polymers.

Channel Carbon Black                                                                                                                                                                                 

Carbon Black, which is made from stripped natural gas according to Channel black process.

According to the FDA there are no purity or other specifications defined for channel carbon black related to safety for food contact.

Furnace Carbon Black    

The second type are the high purity Furnace Carbon blacks.

The applicable purity requirements for compliance with U.S. FDA regulations are:

  • Total PAH not to exceed 0.5 parts per million (ppm)
  • Benzo(a)pyrene content not to exceed 5.0 parts per billion (ppb)
  • The content of carbon black should not exceed 2,5 % per weight of the polymer

Heavy metals like lead (10 ppm), mercury (1 ppm) and arsenic (3 ppm) are also strongly limited.

 

Mercosur No 15/10 Colorants No 32/07 (South America) 


South American Mercosur has adopted the following purity criteria:

  • Toluene extract <0.1%
  • Cyclohexane extinction at 386 nm <0.02 for 1 cm cell or <0.1 for 5 cm cell
  • Benzo(a)pyrene <0.25 mg/kg (250 ppb)
  • In the final food contact item, a maximum of 2.5% Carbon black by weight

 

Switzerland SR 817.023.21 


Switzerland has adopted the following purity criteria:

  • Toluene extract <0.1%
  • Cyclohexane extinction at 386 nm <0.02 for 1 cm cell or <0.1 for 5 cm cell
  • Benzo(a)pyrene <0.25 mg/kg (250 ppb)
  • In the final food contact item, a maximum of 2.5 % Carbon black by weight is allowed

 

Japan

Each product must be specifically approved by the Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrene Plastics Association (JHOSPA). Japan has adopted the following purity criteria:

  • Toluene extract <0.1%
  • Benzo(a)pyrene <0.25 mg/kg (250 ppb)

 

China GB9695-208

China has adopted the following criteria:

  • Toluene extract <0.1%
  • Benzo(a)pyrene <0.25 mg/kg (250 ppb)

In the final food contact item, a maximum percentage of Carbon black by weight is allowed, depending of the type of polymer:

  • In PMMA, PVC, PVDC, PU, UP, PF, PEI, PPE, PBT, PPS, POM & LCP: max. 2.5%
  • In PE: max. 3%
  • In PP, PS, AS, ABS, PA, PET and PC: dosage as necessary

 

Regulations – Finished products

The following regulations apply only to the finished product. There are no regulatory restrictions on the Carbon Black itself.

  • GS (Geprüfte Sicherheit) Marking (technical & consumer products)
  • European Directive 2005/69/EC (PAH in extender oils and tyres)
  • GADSL Intiative (PAH limits arbitrarily set on global automotive parts)
  • EU no. 1272/2016 (EU8) (cured rubber product)

For further information on PAHs and market regulations, click here.

Please contact us for an individual technical consultation or product recommendation.

 

 

Disclaimer:
The above information provided is for reference only and is subject to change.
There is no warranty of accuracy or completeness of any information contained herein.