WAALWIJK, The Netherlands — Royal DSM is eliminating alkylphenol-ethoxylates, commonly known as APEOs, from its European coating resin product lines, as it looks to offer a sustainable portfolio of coating resins within Europe. The decision is in line with EU-wide legislation prohibiting the sale and import of products containing APEOs beginning January of next 2021. DSM will be working side by side with customers and partners to ensure all parties are fully compliant.

The withdrawal of APEOs from its European portfolio is the latest step in DSM’s sustainability strategy for its Coating Resins business, which includes eliminating chemicals of high concern (CoHC) from all coating resins products by 2025. DSM has also begun optimizing the preservative package for many of its key products and phasing out the use of methyl-2-pyrrolidone, commonly known as NMP.

DSM’s decision follows the addition of APEOs to the list of chemicals subject to authorization under EU REACH legislation. Due to the change in regulation, the sale and import of APEO-containing products will be prohibited in the EU from Jan. 4, 2021. The ban applies to both branched and linear APEOs. DSM will cease production of APEO-containing products in Europe from Dec. 1, 2020, and customers will be asked to place their final orders of the affected products by Sept. 1, 2020.

Martin Vlak, Managing Director, DSM Coating Resins: said, “Over the coming months, we will be working closely with our customers and partners as we remove APEO-containing products from our European portfolio, by helping them to make the transition to the many APEO-free alternatives DSM offers. Our approach resonates with our wider efforts to offer a clean and sustainable portfolio, and to lead the industry toward a more sustainable future that will mean brighter lives for all.”