Alexium International

Alexium International Group Limited is a speciality chemicals development company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, with operations in Greer, South Carolina. It specializes in early applications in the textile industry, specifically in flame retardant technology.

Alexium has a presence in the United States, Australia, and Europe and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:AJX).

History

Alexium was established to develop technology supported by a strategic relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense. Alexium’s Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) platform technology was originally invented by the U.S. Air Force in response to threats from chemical and biological warfare agents. Leveraging approximately $30 million invested by the military to develop the technology, Alexium acquired the RST process in order to deliver solutions for both military and commercial customers.

Alexium established a number of commercial/technical partnerships and successfully demonstrated RST technology on a number of applications and booked sales for initial demonstration projects – primarily related to chemical/ biological protection for the military. A number of these military programs remain active today.

After listing on the ASX in 2010, Alexium began building a team of business professionals, engineers, scientists and technical consultants in three global locations. In addition to the corporate head office in Perth, Australia, Alexium maintains a 11,000 square-foot operations headquarters, which includes limited production facilities, offices, and R&D laboratories near Greenville, South Carolina, and a sales office in Europe.

Since then, Alexium’s technology has evolved and advanced in a number of markets. In 2012, after announcing that it will focus on developing Flame Retardant (FR) solutions, Alexium signed a major commercial agreement with Duro Textiles and began global commercial roll-out of its FR treatments.

Technology

FR Treatments

Alexium has been recognised by the World Textile Information Network (WTiN) for its scientific success in FR treatments.^[2] It also gained considerable attention at Techtextil North America 2012 for the technology.^[3]

Products:

Alexiflam FR: Alexiflam FR is a flame retardant for synthetic and synthetic-blend fabrics that is applied via aqueous solutions. A halogen-free, phosphorus-based flame retardant supplied as an O/W emulsion. Alexiflam FR is used on nylon/cotton (NyCo) fabric blends with a higher percentage of cotton. Flame retardation of higher percentage nylon compositions has been studied for many years, but has proven difficult to achieve. Various segments of the US military have actively sought flame retardant technologies for 50/50 nylon cotton, as is widely used for uniforms.

Alexiflam SYN: Alexiflam SYN is a highly effective flame retardant solution designed for the textile and resin markets. A halogen-free, phosphorus-rich flame retardant for solvent-based applications, it’s applied via solvent-based solutions.

Alexiflam NF: Alexiflam NF is an innovative flame retardant treatment for cotton and cotton-blends with reduced processing costs vs. other established FR cotton methods. A reactive, halogen-free phosphorus-based product provides an effective and durable (50+ washes) flame retardant treatment.

Alexicool: Alexicool is a cost-effective chemical finish for fabrics that absorb heat while providing a cool-to-the-touch feel. A wash-durable application of phase-change material (PCM) with a high heat capacity.

Alexiflam PB: Alexiflam PB is a next-generation, halogenated flame retardant that provides effective FR with an environmentally friendly, non-toxic product.

Alexiflam AD: Alexiflam AD is a novel combination of synergistic flame-retardants for effective treatment of a wide range of fabric blends and constructions. A synergistic combination of non-halogenated products for applying effective flame retardant back-coatings.

See Alexiums solutions in more detail here ^[4]

Licensees, Distributors, Chemical Relationships

Licensees

Duro Textiles: Duro is a US-based textile finisher, and in August 2012, Alexium finalized an exclusive license agreement with them to take Ascalon to market in North America.^[5]

Distributors

iTextiles: Alexium recently signed an agreement with iTextiles, a Pakistani chemical distributor, to distribute all of Alexium's FR products in Pakistan, UAE, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.

Essex/EuroFlam: Euroflam is A U.K.-based FR commission finisher specializing in home textiles, furnishings, and institutional/contract fabric. Alexium recently signed an agreement for them to become a customer and commercial partner for Alexium's FR products in the U.K.

Toll Manufacturers

Marlin: Marlin is a toll chemical manufacturer for the production of Nycolon, Nuvalon, and Polytron.

InChem: Alexium has a large volume manufacturing arrangement with InChem Corporation for a minimum 150,000-liter per year capacity for ASCALON flame retardant chemicals. The product is designated for Alexium's North American licensee Duro Textiles. InChem Corporation is based in Rock Hill, South Carolina and provides custom, contract and toll manufacturing of speciality chemicals.

Environmental record

Traditional FR products contain bromides and halogens, which are currently being investigated in the US for environmental concerns. The global demand for non-halogenated FR products is growing, and many companies—including Alexium—are working to meet the demand for FR products that do not use bromides or halogens. Alexium is also working to meet or exceed the new c6 fluorocarbon requirements.^[6]

References