Clariant is celebrating a major milestone: 50 years of its Exolit AP flame retardants, a technology the company says has helped protect lives and property worldwide since 1975. 

 

But the Swiss specialty chemicals firm is using the anniversary not just to look back—but to accelerate its push into more sustainable fire safety solutions.

 

Based on ammonium polyphosphate (APP) technology, Exolit AP has become a benchmark in fire protection applications ranging from intumescent coatings and fire barrier sealing systems to e-mobility battery housings and insulation foams.

 

“Since producing the first batch of Exolit AP at the Knapsack site in Germany in 1975, the Exolit AP product line has pioneered flame retardant technology,” the company said, describing a legacy that has grown from a single breakthrough product into a global portfolio used across multiple industries.

 

The latest shift is centered on sustainability. In 2024, Clariant launched an SVHC-free version of Exolit AP, designed to meet stricter health and environmental expectations while maintaining fire performance.

 

The company said: “The successful launch of SVHC-free Exolit AP marks a significant step forward in more sustainable flame retardant technology.” It added that the development reflects rising demand from “health- and sustainability-conscious consumers and brands… seeking safer alternatives to products containing substances of concern.”

 

Clariant is already preparing the next phase. It previewed an evolution of its widely used Exolit AP 435 grade, aimed at improving regulatory readiness while preserving its established performance in water-based systems.

 

“This evolution maintains the exceptional performance characteristics in water-based formulations that have made Exolit AP 435 the industry benchmark for shelf-life stability, while incorporating forward-thinking improvements to meet future regulatory requirements, all without compromising on fire protection performance.”

 

The company is also actively seeking external partners to co-develop next-generation flame retardant systems, emphasizing collaboration as a key driver of future innovation.

 

“The power of partnership,” Clariant said, remains central to its strategy, noting that many of its customer relationships span generations and are essential to aligning product development with real-world application needs.

 

Looking ahead, Clariant framed the anniversary as a launchpad rather than a retrospective milestone.

 

“The same pioneering spirit that drove our first innovations in 1975 still drives us today,” said Stefan Brejc, Global Vice President Segment Coatings & Adhesives. “As we celebrate this golden anniversary, we're not just looking back at 50 years of achievement, we're building on this foundation to create the next generation of more sustainable flame retardants.”

 

From its first commercial batch in 1975 to today’s SVHC-free formulations, Clariant says Exolit AP continues to evolve with industry demand—balancing fire safety performance with tightening sustainability and regulatory expectations as it enters its next half-century.