FocusChems increase nanotech safety research

31 August 2007 19:47  [Source: ICIS news]

By Doris de Guzman

NEW YORK (ICIS news)--Safety is a priority for chemical companies that have invested hundred millions of dollars on nanotechnology, several companies' officials said on Friday.

The lack of regulations specifically targeting nano-engineered materials is currently a growing concern worldwide.

Bayer said a product stewardship programme was implemented for its Baytubes carbon nanotube (CNT). The company was also participating in publicly funded projects, such as NanoCare and Tracer, sponsored by the German Ministry for Education and Research.

“Safety issues and the acceptance of nanotechnology and nano-based products at the end of the value chain by the final customers are key for the industry’s success in the future,” said Frank Rothbarth, head of media relations for Bayer MaterialScience.

Bayer’s current CNT capacity in Laufenburg, Germany, is 60 short tons/year. An additional 200 ton/year plant in Leverkusen was expected to start by 2009.

“Further plant capacity will be created according to market needs,” said Rothbarth. “By 2012, we hope to have around a 3,000 ton/year plant at our disposal.”

BASF’s head of innovation communication, Melanie Steigelmann, said the company is investing €180m ($246.6m) in nanotechnology research and development (R&D) alone in the period up to 2008.

Aside from participating in safety research projects at national and international levels, BASF is also conducting research for the assessment of nanoparticles in its toxicology department, said Steigelmann.

DuPont, meanwhile, has established a partnership with the nonprofit group, Environmental Defense, for the launch of a nano-risk framework designed to develop a systematic process for the responsible development and use of nano-materials.

“The framework is utilised to augment and supplement our existing product stewardship procedures,” said Terry Medley, DuPont’s global regulatory affairs director.

“We have not tallied yet who adopted the framework for themselves, but it has garnered widespread attention and focus.This is one of the rational, responsible ways to proceed regarding nanotechnology, pending whatever the regulatory agencies might do,” added Medley.

The market volume for nanotechnology worldwide is expected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars to more than $1,000bn by 2015, Rothbart said.

($1.00 = €0.73)

By: Doris de Guzman
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