In January, EPA sent letters to three chlorinated paraffin manufacturers – Dover Chemical, Ineos Chlor Americas and Qualice – advising that, based on an agency draft risk assessment, production of mid- and long-chain CP would be prohibited after May 2016. Alternatively, EPA said then, the manufacturers could be ordered to stop making the substances immediately.

Maria Doa, director of EPAs Chemical Control Division in the Office of Prevention Control and Toxics, said in her presentation to the conference that the EPA had heard from many manufacturers that they needed time to transition.

What was presented by EPA this morning regarding timing is new information to the [Pre-Manufacturing Notice] submitters, referring to the three CP manufacturers, Andrew Jacques, manager of the Chlorinated Paraffins Industry Association, told Lube Report yesterday. We will be seeking clarifications from EPA on that issue and other aspects of EPAs assessment.

CPIA, its members and ILMA have been working to convince EPA that elimination of CP is a bad idea altogether – or at least that the May 2016 date for elimination is unrealistic. Many CP manufacturers say elimination would impact them and their customers hard across many applications.

Chlorinated paraffins are chlorinated alkanes that have carbon chain lengths ranging from 10 to 38 with varying degrees of chlorination. They are used in metalworking fluids as extreme-pressure agents, especially in difficult drawing, forming and removal operations.

For background on the chlorinated paraffins issue, read the April 22 Lube Report article, EPA: Most Chlorinated Paraffins Must Go.