In Europe Covestro is switching to a cumene-depleted version of solvent naphtha 100 (SN 100) in a range of our Coatings & Adhesives products, mainly aliphatic polyisocyanates and polyesters. This will enable our customers to make use of a product without Cat 1B labeling with the forthcoming change to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)'s "Adaptation to Technical Progress" (ATP) register, an annual harmonized classification of hazardous substances. Under ATP 18, which will apply from November 23rd, 2023, all mixtures containing more than 0.1% cumene must be classified as category 1B carcinogenic. Cumene is currently a component within SN 100 with a content of up to 5%.
The ATP 18 will require all products containing more than 0.1% cumene to carry a "carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic" (CMR) label. Switching to a cumene-depleted version of SN 100 in our products will allow us to reduce cumene levels in the relevant SN 100-containing products to below 0.1%, enabling our customers to avoid CMR labeling on end products while still benefitting from the excellent technical properties of Covestro products comprising SN 100.
The specifications of products based on SN 100 cumene depleted have not changed in any way compared the products based on standard SN 100 in terms to improve application-related occupational safety. As a result the name, the safety data sheet (SDS) and the technical data sheet (TDS) will not change in any aspect. We expect that our customers can use these products in their formulations in the same way and they will meet your requirements as normal.
The change to Covestro's products made in Europe will be made in Q2 2023, ahead of the mandatory compliance deadline of November 23rd 2023.
Please note, that SN 100 is a common solvent also used by our customers in their formulations – so most probably also our customers need to adapt their SN 100 sourcing. Some customers and competitors might prefer to use the new CMR label and continue with the cheaper existing SN 100 grade comprising > 0,1% of Cumene.
If you have any questions on the topic, you can contact our expert team at any time.
