Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SSCP): The Applications in Textile and Footwear Industry Kazy Mohammad Iqbal Hossain Sr. Environmental Chemist, C&A Sourcing International Ltd., Bangladesh Hub
What is it? Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are produced by chlorination of straight-chained paraffin fractions. The carbon chain length of commercial chlorinated paraffins is usually between 10 and 30 carbon atoms, and the chlorine content is usually between 40 and 70% by weight. they are viscous colourless or yellowish dense oils with low vapour pressures, except for those of long carbon chain length with high chlorine content (70%), which are solid. Chlorinated paraffins are practically insoluble in water, lower alcohols, glycerol and glycols, but are soluble in chlorinated solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, ethers, mineral oils and some cutting oils. They are moderately soluble in unchlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons. Chlorinated paraffins consist of extremely complex mixtures, owing to the many possible positions for the chlorine atoms.
Applications in Textile and Footwear Industries The aim of this paper is to provide brief information on Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffin (SSCPs) containing 10-13 nos. carbon in the straight chain, which has a wide range of applications in textile and footwear industries. SSCPs are yellowish liquid. Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) can be used as a plasticizer in rubber, paints, adhesives, flame retardants for plastics including vinyl flooring, carpet backing and wire and cable coating. They also may be used as fatting and softening agents in the leather industry and impregnations agent in the textile industry and as an additive for sealing compounds. They are widely used as an extreme pressure lubricant in metal working fluids.
Impact on Environment and Health SCCPs are classified as dangerous to the environment, due to their high toxicity to aquatic organisms, and they may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. They are persistent agents
which are not easily degraded by natural mechanisms. SCCPs are bio accumulative substances which accumulate mainly in aquatic animal tissues, and enzymatic disrupters which alter the hormonal system of living beings. Excessive exposure to SCCPs may affect the kidney, liver and thyroid gland, and may cause cancer.
Alternatives Safer alternatives are available in the market; please communicate with your chemical manufacturer for latest innovation. The following alternatives are suggested in ZDHC guidance document.
Non-chlorinated paraffin alternatives such as alkylphosphates and sulfonated fatty-acid esters are available for specific applications.
Natural animal and vegetable oils may be used as substitutes in leather production.
Polyacrylic esters, diisobutyrate and phosphates may be used in paint and coating applications.
Aluminum hydroxide and phosphate containing compounds can be used as flame retardant alternatives.