Methylene Chloride Ban Update

 by Andrew Morris

Reading Time: 4 minutes

As the situation surrounding the use of methylene chloride (MC) in adhesives continues to evolve, we wanted to provide you with a follow-up to our previous update and offer additional guidance.

We received a large volume of responses from our recent communications on this topic and are working through them to get back to everyone. If you haven’t heard from us yet, thank you for your patience please note that we will answer all the messages we received but many may find the answers they are looking for in the remainder of this message.

Clarification on EPA Timeline:

The EPA has not yet announced a specific date for regulations affecting manufacturers of adhesives using MC. However, some of our suppliers have chosen to proactively reformulate their products to discontinue the use of MC. Others may wait until regulatory action is taken. This results in a complex situation without a clear-cut timeline for all product classes.

Potential Availability of MC-Containing Products:

If you currently use products containing MC, availability may continue for some time, depending on the manufacturer’s decisions, their supply chain, and future actions by the EPA. While the EPA has indicated plans to act in 2024, this is not a guarantee. We are hearing from sources familiar with the issue that the phase-out of MC is a matter of “when,” not “if,” given the EPA’s multi-year campaign to reduce its use.

Products Affected and Unaffected:

As a reminder, here is a list of products affected by the April 1st changes, as well as those that are not likely to be impacted:

Affected Products (Discontinued April 1st):

Product Types That May Contain MC:

  • Non-flammable contact cement
  • Solvent welding adhesive
  • Solvent-based adhesives
  • Two-component polyurethane cements

Products Unlikely to Be Affected:

  • Epoxies
  • MMA adhesives
  • Tapes
  • Silicone
  • Urethane sealants
  • MS polymer
  • Cyanoacrylates
  • UV Curable Adhesives

Other Known Products with MC (Will be affected at some point in the future):

Recommendations:

Given the uncertainty and potential for supply disruptions, we recommend taking proactive steps to secure your adhesive needs. If you are using one of the products that is being discontinued April 1st, consider stocking up on a 6-12 month supply to avoid potential shutdowns and allow time to transition to suitable alternatives.

If you are unsure whether your product contains MC, check the SDS sheet for the product and look in section 3. Look for “Methylene Chloride” or “dichloromethane”

If you are using MC non-flammable contact cements, there will be some alternate formulations available as there are alternative non-flam solvents or you can consider flammable alternatives.

Support and Assistance:

Chemical Concepts is committed to supporting you through this transition. If you have any questions or need assistance in finding alternative products, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in Chemical Concepts.

Thank you,
The Team at Chemical Concepts

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