An alternative to APEO to reduce yellowing in polyamide, polyester andtheir blends with Elastane fibers during heat-setting
Abstract

This case story describes substitution of alkyphenoetoxylates (APEO) in the textile industry. The company G-Star
performed an investigation of possibilities to substitute APEO for reducing yellowing in polyamide, polyester and theirblends with elastane fibers during heat-setting. They identified and implemented fatty alcohol polyglycol ether as asuitable alternative.

Substituted substance(s)Nonylphenol polyglycol ether
CAS No. 9016-45-9
Chemical group Glycol ethers
The substance is included in the "Hazardous Substance Database” according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria(SDSC), since it is on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern (PBT) and on the EU commission database of
potential endocrine disruptors category 1 and on the SIN List.
The substance is: on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern, endocrine disruptor (SIN List), endocrine
disruptor cat. 1 (EU EDC database), as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria(SDSC).

Classification
The substance has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLPRegulation)
ECHA’s Classification and Labelling Inventory

Alternative substance(s)Fatty alcohol polyglycol ether
CAS No. 68002-97-1
Chemical group Polyglycol ether
Classification
The substance has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLPRegulation)
ECHA’s Classification and Labelling Inventoryg-star.com

Producer or supplier

Tanatex is the supplier of the alternative substance.
Evidence of implementation: There is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication

Hazard assessment

The substituted substance is on the "hazardous substances database according to SUBSPORT screening criteria"(SDSC) since it is listed PBT on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern and as an EDC in the EU commission
database of potential endocrine disruptors and on the SIN List. The alternative substance has no CLP classification andis not listed on the SDSC.

Substitution description

Alkylphenolethoxylates (APEO) and Alkylphenol (AP) are widely used in the textile industry. AP's and APEO's are
chemical compounds which due to their structure have at least one hydrophile and one hydrofobe functional group andhave therefore the possibility to reduce surface tension.
G-Star is continuously striving towards sustainable solutions and achieving the goals of zero discharge of hazardous
chemicals in its supply chain. One of these goals is completely phasing out APEO'S and AP's.
APEO's are known to be aquatic harmful and are one of the chemical groups mentioned in the G-Star Restricted
Substances List (RSL). During factory audits, drums with chemicals containing APEO's were found in thewarehouse. We contacted the chemical supplier and were informed that the product was reformulated. We informed
the supplier about the reformulation of the chemical. At the same time the supplier was informed that it is forbidden tocontinue the use of this chemical and that it must be disposed of in a safe way in accordance with the authorities andregulations. The product found was a detergent based concept, with an APEO content of 70%. This has been changed toa waterbased concept. Added was a small percentage of Fatty Alcohol Polyglycol Ether (1-5%), as auxiliary to wet thefabric; without this the formula would not work. The result was an improvement both in components as in quantity.
Fatty alcohol polyglycol ether was identified as a suitable alternative; this is mainly used as a substitute for the range ofnon-ionic tensides. Even in low application amounts, good results can be achieved.. This substitution process started inDecember 2012 and showed the substituted product is similar (up until now) in performance and lower in cost. Thesubstitution will be continued on our global supply chain. The case shows that next to more difficult substitution cases,
easy though not less important substitutions can be made.

Case/substitution evaluation

This case story describes the substitution of an alkyplphenolethoxylate substance with a safer alternative, as a result after
supply chain cooperation.

g-star.com

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