Polyethylene Terephtalate Antimony Trioxide Catalyst - Archive
By Brice de Saint Hilaire
The most widely used catalyst in the polyethylene terephthalate production process is reportedly getting attention from main industry players in the apparel and automotive sec tors. Sb2O3, or ATO, as a technical product can serve as a flame retardant, as a turbidifier in white enamel or, of course, as the initiator in the production of PET.
The WHO who’s primary goal is to ensure that all people, whatever their stage of development and their social and economic conditions, have the right to have access to an adequate supply of safe drinking water drafted a background document in 2003 focusing on antinomy in drinking water.
The study which conducted tests on rats concluded that there are no data to indicate carcinogenicity by the oral route. It also concluded that there is inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of ATO in humans.
Although the catalyst contains a few traces of metals that are measured in a handful of ppm (parts per million), it has widely been considered safe and efficient for the past decades.
Moreover, in regards to drinking water quality, it is important to take into account solubility, concentration, temperature and the form of antimony which is a key determinant of its potential toxicity. It would appear that antimony leached from antimony-containing materials would be in the form of antimony(V) oxo-anion, which is the less toxic form.
Well known alternative catalysts are based on aluminum, germanium and titanium and are used in some PET applications, however, their use in bulk applications is generally limited.
Aluminum comes under pressure as it leads to various potential health complications, and germanium, while an excellent catalyst for PET, is not an economically viable alternative. Titanium is the only base catalyst that can be used as a viable alternative.
Titanium catalysts have been developed for many years and are already used in some fiber and film applications.
Their general use across the market has been limited by some PET processing stability issues that arise due to the nature of the titanium catalyst.
A technology company based in the UK has developed a unique platform that allows for the production of thermally stable PET in all PET applications and has commercialized this in film, fiber and some resin markets.
The company reports an expanding customer base each year thanks to its unique technology by which full thermal stability can be achieved, resulting in color and IV consistency.
Some apparel and automotive industry players have therefore been reported to explore the titanium catalyst route for polyethylene terephthalate production as an alternative to antimony trioxide.
Brice de Saint Hilaire
Global Procurement Officer
