This report provides a strategic analysis of the Global Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant (NHFR) Chemicals Market, integrating advanced data frameworks, expanded competitive intelligence, and essential industry strategic pillars for the 2026–2036 forecast period.
1. Market Segmentation Analysis
The shift toward non-halogenated solutions is driven by the toxicity concerns associated with bromine and chlorine-based retardants. The market is now categorized by sophisticated chemical mechanisms.
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By Type (Chemical Composition):
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Inorganic (Metal Hydroxides): Primarily Aluminum Trihydrate (ATH) and Magnesium Hydroxide (MDH). These are the most widely used due to low cost and smoke suppression properties.
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Phosphorus-based: Including Red Phosphorus, Ammonium Polyphosphate, and Phosphate Esters. Preferred for engineering plastics and polyurethane foams.
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Nitrogen-based: Often Melamine-based; used frequently in polyamides and intumescent coatings.
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Synergists & Others (New): Zinc Borates, Nanocomposites, and Intumescent systems that expand to form a protective char.
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By Polymer Integration (New Segment):
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Polyolefins (PE, PP)
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Epoxy Resins
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Polyurethanes
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Engineering Thermoplastics (Nylon, PET, PBT)
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By End-User Industry:
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Electrical & Electronics: Demand driven by printed circuit boards (PCBs), housings, and wire & cable insulation.
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Buildings & Construction: Insulation panels, structural steel coatings, and roofing materials.
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Transportation (Automotive & Aerospace): Critical for EV battery enclosures, upholstery, and lightweight plastic interior components.
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Textiles & Furniture: High-visibility workwear and flame-resistant home furnishings.
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2. Regional Analysis
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Western Europe (Regulatory Leader): The most mature market due to strict REACH and RoHS regulations that have phased out most halogenated substances. Germany and the UK lead in high-tech NHFR adoption.
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Asia-Pacific (Market Dominant): China, India, and South Korea dominate production and consumption. The region is the global hub for electronics manufacturing and the fastest-growing market for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
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North America: Growth is centered on the modernization of infrastructure and the adoption of "Green Building" standards. Significant demand from the aerospace and defense sectors.
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Middle East & Africa: Increasing urbanization and massive infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia (Vision 2030) and the UAE are driving demand for fire-safe construction materials.
3. Competitive Landscape
Extended List of Key Players:
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Clariant AG (Switzerland)
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Lanxess AG (Germany)
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BASF SE (Germany)
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Nabaltec AG (Germany)
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Huber Engineered Materials (J.M. Huber Corp) (USA)
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ICL Group Ltd. (Israel)
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Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A. (Italy)
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Budenheim (Germany)
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Albemarle Corporation (USA)
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Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Inc. (Japan)
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Daihachi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (Japan)
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Adeka Corporation (Japan)
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Tor Minerals International (USA)
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Greenchemical S.p.A. (Italy)
4. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Moderate): Suppliers of raw materials like phosphorus and aluminum ore have moderate leverage. However, the specialized nature of high-purity flame retardants balances this power.
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (High): Large OEMs in the automotive and electronics sectors demand high performance at lower costs, forcing chemical companies to innovate constantly.
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Threat of New Entrants (Low to Moderate): High barriers exist due to stringent environmental certifications, complex R&D for polymer compatibility, and established intellectual property (IP) portfolios.
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Threat of Substitutes (Low): Fire safety is mandatory by law; therefore, there is no substitute for flame retardancy itself, only a shift between chemical types.
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Competitive Rivalry (High): Top players compete on "loading levels"—the ability to provide flame retardancy without compromising the physical strength of the host plastic.
5. SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: Environmental friendliness; compliance with global toxicity standards; lower smoke emission during combustion.
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Weaknesses: Higher "loading" requirements (more chemical needed to be effective); potential negative impact on the host polymer's mechanical properties; higher cost than brominated versions.
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Opportunities: The EV Revolution (thermal runaway protection for batteries); rising demand for fire-resistant energy storage systems; expansion into bio-based flame retardants.
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Threats: Rapid changes in fire safety codes requiring constant re-formulation; supply chain volatility of raw phosphorus.
6. Trend Analysis
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EV Battery Safety: Development of specialized NHFRs for lithium-ion battery separators and enclosures to prevent thermal runaway.
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Miniaturization of Electronics: The trend toward smaller, thinner devices requires flame retardants that are effective even in ultra-thin plastic walls.
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Circular Economy: A shift toward retardants that do not interfere with the mechanical recycling of plastics at the end of their lifecycle.
7. Drivers & Challenges
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Drivers:
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Global legislative phase-out of Deca-BDE and other halogenated chemicals.
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Increasing digitalization and the rise in data centers requiring fire-protected cabling.
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Growth in lightweight automotive plastics replacing heavy metals.
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Challenges:
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Achieving the V-0 fire rating (the highest standard) while maintaining plastic flexibility.
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Price sensitivity in the construction sector where cheaper, halogenated alternatives still exist in less-regulated regions.
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8. Value Chain Analysis
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Feedstock (Upstream): Mining of minerals (Bauxite, Magnesium) and extraction of Phosphorus and Nitrogen sources.
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Chemical Synthesis: Manufacturing of high-purity inorganic hydroxides, phosphorus salts, or melamine derivatives.
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Compounding (Midstream): Integrating the flame retardant chemicals into polymer resins (Masterbatches).
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Conversion (Downstream): Manufacturers molding or extruding the compounded plastic into finished components (e.g., phone cases, wires).
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End-User: Final integration into cars, buildings, and electronics.
9. Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Focus on surface-treated or coated ATH/MDH to improve dispersion in polymers, allowing for higher loading without making the plastic brittle.
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For Investors: Prioritize companies with a strong presence in the Phosphate Ester and Intumescent segments, as these are high-margin and critical for modern EVs.
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For R&D Teams: Develop liquid-based NHFRs for textile applications to ensure the "hand-feel" and breathability of fabrics are maintained.
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For Procurement Managers: Monitor China’s phosphorus environmental inspections closely, as localized production cuts can lead to global price spikes.
Report Parameters Summary
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Historic Years: 2020–2024
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Base Year: 2025
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Forecast Period: 2026–2036
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Geographic Scope: Global (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, Rest of World)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 MARKET ABSTRACT
2 MARKET INTRODUCTION
2.1 MARKET SCOPE
2.2 MARKET PROPERTIES/ BEHAVIOR
2.3 KEY DEFINITIONS–CONTENT
3 QMI RESEARCH PRACTICE
3.1 RESEARCH PRACTICE
3.1.1 GLOBAL LEVEL ANALYSIS
3.1.2 COUNTRY LEVEL ANALYSIS
3.1.3 SUPPLY SIDE ANALYSIS
3.1.4 DEMAND SIDE ANALYSIS
3.1.5 TRIANGULATION
3.2 PRIMARY DATA
3.3 SECONDARY DATA
3.4 MARKET EVALUATION & FORECASTING METHODOLOGY
3.5 ASSUMPTIONS/ LIMITATIONS FOR THE STUDY
3.6 WHAT THIS STUDY PROVIDES
3.7 KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY THIS REPORT
3.8 THIS STUDY IS INTENDED FOR
4 KEY RELATED DATA
4.1 COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
4.1.1 PRODUCT POSITIONING
4.1.2 REVENUE POSITIONING
4.1.3 REGIONAL REACH POSITIONING
4.2 VENDOR MATRIX
4.3 PATENTS
4.4 TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
4.5 CUSTOMER ANALYSIS
5 IMPACT FACTOR ANALYSIS
5.1 MICRO ECONOMIC POINTERS
5.2 MACRO ECONOMIC POINTERS
5.3 PORTER’S FIVE FORCE MODEL/ PESTLE ANALYSIS/ VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS
5.4 DRIVERS/RESTRAINTS/OPPORTUNITIES/CHALLENGES
6 MARKET DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS
6.1 NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT/ LAUNCH
6.2 MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
6.3 PARTNERSHIPS / AGREEMENTS/COLLABORATIONS
7 NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY TYPE
7.1 INTRODUCTION
7.2 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS
7.3 INORGANIC
7.4 PHOSPHORUS
7.5 NITROGEN
7.6 OTHER
8 NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY END-USER
8.1 INTRODUCTION
8.2 MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS
8.3 ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
8.4 BUILDINGS & CONSTRUCTION
8.5 TRANSPORTATION
8.6 TEXTILES & FURNITURE
9 NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, REGIONAL ANALYSIS
9.1 INTRODUCTION
9.2 NORTH AMERICA NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET
9.2.1 NORTH AMERICA NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY COUNTRY
9.2.1.1 US Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.2.1.2 Canada Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.2.1.3 Mexico Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.2.2 NORTH AMERICA NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY TYPE
9.2.3 NORTH AMERICA NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY END-USER
9.3 WESTERN EUROPE NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET
9.3.1 WESTERN EUROPE NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY COUNTRY
9.3.1.1 Germany Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.3.1.2 UK Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.3.1.3 France Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.3.1.4 Italy Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.3.1.5 Spain Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.3.1.6 Rest of Western Europe Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.3.2 WESTERN EUROPE NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY TYPE
9.3.3 WESTERN EUROPE NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY END-USER
9.4 EASTERN EUROPE NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET
9.4.1 EASTERN EUROPE NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY COUNTRY
9.4.1.1 Russia Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.4.1.2 Turkey Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.4.1.3 Rest of Eastern Europe Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.4.2 EASTERN EUROPE NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY TYPE
9.4.3 EASTERN EUROPE NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY END-USER
9.5 ASIA PACIFIC NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET
9.5.1 ASIA PACIFIC NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY COUNTRY
9.5.1.1 China Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.1.2 Japan Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.1.3 India Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.1.4 South Korea Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.1.5 Australia Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.1.6 Taiwan Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.1.7 Malaysia Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.1.8 Indonesia Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.1.9 Rest of Asia Pacific Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.5.2 ASIA PACIFIC NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY TYPE
9.5.3 ASIA PACIFIC NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY END-USER
9.6 MIDDLE EAST NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET
9.6.1 MIDDLE EAST NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY COUNTRY
9.6.1.1 UAE Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.6.1.2 Saudi Arabia Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.6.1.3 Qatar Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.6.1.4 Iran Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.6.1.5 Rest of Middle East Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.6.2 MIDDLE EAST NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY TYPE
9.6.3 MIDDLE EAST NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY END-USER
9.7 REST OF THE WORLD NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET
9.7.1 REST OF THE WORLD NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY REGION
9.7.1.1 South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Others) Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.7.1.2 Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Others) Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Market
9.7.2 REST OF THE WORLD NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY TYPE
9.7.3 REST OF THE WORLD NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, BY END-USER
10 NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET, COMPANY ANALYSIS
10.1 NABALTEC AG
10.1.1 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
10.1.2 PRODUCT/SOLUTION OVERVIEW
10.1.3 SWOT ANALYSIS
10.1.4 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
10.2 HUBER ENGINEERED MATERIALS
10.3 BASF SE
10.4 ICL
10.5 DAIHACHI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO. LTD
*Financials and Details May Not be Included in Case of Privately Held Company
11 NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET: CONCLUSION
11.1 NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET SNAPSHOT
11.2 NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET PROSPECTS- BY TYPE
11.3 NON-HALOGENATED FLAME RETARDANT CHEMICALS MARKET PROSPECTS- BY END-USER
12 APPENDIX
12.1 LIST OF ABBREVIATION
12.2 ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
12.3 RELATED REPORTS
1. Market Segmentation Analysis
The shift toward non-halogenated solutions is driven by the toxicity concerns associated with bromine and chlorine-based retardants. The market is now categorized by sophisticated chemical mechanisms.
-
By Type (Chemical Composition):
-
Inorganic (Metal Hydroxides): Primarily Aluminum Trihydrate (ATH) and Magnesium Hydroxide (MDH). These are the most widely used due to low cost and smoke suppression properties.
-
Phosphorus-based: Including Red Phosphorus, Ammonium Polyphosphate, and Phosphate Esters. Preferred for engineering plastics and polyurethane foams.
-
Nitrogen-based: Often Melamine-based; used frequently in polyamides and intumescent coatings.
-
Synergists & Others (New): Zinc Borates, Nanocomposites, and Intumescent systems that expand to form a protective char.
-
-
By Polymer Integration (New Segment):
-
Polyolefins (PE, PP)
-
Epoxy Resins
-
Polyurethanes
-
Engineering Thermoplastics (Nylon, PET, PBT)
-
-
By End-User Industry:
-
Electrical & Electronics: Demand driven by printed circuit boards (PCBs), housings, and wire & cable insulation.
-
Buildings & Construction: Insulation panels, structural steel coatings, and roofing materials.
-
Transportation (Automotive & Aerospace): Critical for EV battery enclosures, upholstery, and lightweight plastic interior components.
-
Textiles & Furniture: High-visibility workwear and flame-resistant home furnishings.
-
2. Regional Analysis
-
Western Europe (Regulatory Leader): The most mature market due to strict REACH and RoHS regulations that have phased out most halogenated substances. Germany and the UK lead in high-tech NHFR adoption.
-
Asia-Pacific (Market Dominant): China, India, and South Korea dominate production and consumption. The region is the global hub for electronics manufacturing and the fastest-growing market for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
-
North America: Growth is centered on the modernization of infrastructure and the adoption of "Green Building" standards. Significant demand from the aerospace and defense sectors.
-
Middle East & Africa: Increasing urbanization and massive infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia (Vision 2030) and the UAE are driving demand for fire-safe construction materials.
3. Competitive Landscape
Extended List of Key Players:
-
Clariant AG (Switzerland)
-
Lanxess AG (Germany)
-
BASF SE (Germany)
-
Nabaltec AG (Germany)
-
Huber Engineered Materials (J.M. Huber Corp) (USA)
-
ICL Group Ltd. (Israel)
-
Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A. (Italy)
-
Budenheim (Germany)
-
Albemarle Corporation (USA)
-
Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Inc. (Japan)
-
Daihachi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (Japan)
-
Adeka Corporation (Japan)
-
Tor Minerals International (USA)
-
Greenchemical S.p.A. (Italy)
