As sustainability targets tighten, recycling rates come under increasing scrutiny and industries seek greater resource security, the role of flame retardants is evolving. At the AMI Compounding & Recycling Expo Europe, Thomas Futterer will explore how the industry can balance the need for fire safety with the demands of a circular economy.

Thomas, Chairman of the Phosphorus, Inorganic and Nitrogen Flame Retardants Association (Pinfa), an industry association with approximatly 30 members companies comprising leading global flame retardant producers and downstream users, is responsible for market regulation and advocacy within the Material Science Division at Chemische Fabrik Budenheim, a globally operating speciality chemical company and leading producer of phosphorus- and nitrogen-based materials and additives for thermoplastic polymers, thermosets and coatings. His presentation, Future-Proofing Flame Retardants: Sustainability, Recycling and Resource Security, will examine how fire safety considerations are increasingly intertwined with sustainability, recycling and the future availability of critical raw materials.

At the heart of his message is the belief that these goals should not be viewed as competing priorities.

"Modern materials and future technologies, including those based on recycling and critical raw materials, require flame retardants to deliver the level of fire safety societies need to grow infrastructure and to protect human life and goods, without sacrificing sustainability," he explains.

For Thomas, the timing of this discussion could not be more important. Growing sustainability expectations, accelerating climate change, rapid technological transformation and evolving security challenges are reshaping the materials landscape and increasing the importance of fire-safe materials across a wide range of applications.

Strong sustainability demands, accelerating climate change, rapid technological transformation, and evolving security challenges make fire safety more critical than ever," he says.

During his session, attendees can expect a broad industry perspective that looks beyond immediate technical challenges and towards long-term opportunities. He believes significant growth potential exists in developing safer and more sustainable materials that support advanced recycling systems, enable innovation in emerging technologies, strengthen infrastructure resilience and improve resource efficiency.

"Key growth opportunities lie in developing safer, sustainable materials for recycling systems, enabling innovation in advanced technologies, securing resilient infrastructure, and strengthening collaboration across the fire safety community," Thomas notes.

One of the most thought-provoking areas of discussion will focus on the realities facing recyclers today. While recycling is often presented as a straightforward route to circularity, Thomas argues that the challenges are more complex than many realise.

"A compelling insight I will share is that polymer recycling is not only technically challenging, but also market access-related constrained, because post-consumer waste often contains regulated flame retardants that significantly reduce its value and reuse potential."

Alongside highlighting these challenges, Thomas hopes his presentation will encourage greater collaboration across the value chain. From material innovators and recyclers to regulators, OEMs and fire safety stakeholders, he believes progress depends on bringing together expertise from different disciplines.

"It will inspire attendees by offering a big-picture perspective that highlights growth opportunities, while connecting them with experts, especially within PINFA, to support collaboration and advance fire safety solutions."

His session is therefore particularly relevant for anyone involved in material development, compounding, recycling, product design, regulation or fire safety, offering practical insights that can be directly applied within their organisations.

Ultimately, he hopes attendees leave the session with a fresh perspective on the links between fire safety, sustainability and innovation. “Think out of the box, linking fire safety with sustainability, recycling, and material innovation, understanding both the seriousness of the challenge and the opportunities to become future proof.” Beyond his presentation, Thomas is looking forward to exploring the exhibition floor and discovering new ideas that could influence the future of materials development. “I'm open to inspiration and surprises from both new and rediscovered alternative materials that improve lives and make them safer.”

He is also eager to reconnect with colleagues from PINFA, including flame retardant producers, compounders and researchers from leading institutes, making the AMI Compounding & Recycling Expo Europe the ideal environment for knowledge sharing and industry collaboration.

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Want to hear Thomas Futterer's session on Future-Proofing Flame Retardants: Sustainability, Recycling and Resource Security, alongside a packed programme of expert presentations covering plastics recycling, compounding, sustainability, materials innovation and industry trends?

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We look forward to welcoming you to Frankfurt for two days of insight, networking and innovation at the heart of the plastics industry.