News Releases
Important News from EHC Global regarding Hypalon® Handrail Production
Oshawa, Canada - June 2, 2009
EHC Global has announced a critical update on the manufacture of conventional coloured rubber handrails for escalators made with DuPont Co.’s Hypalon®-brand compound.
On May 7th, 2009 DuPont Co. announced that they will close their Beaumont Texas manufacturing facility which makes Hypalon®, by the end of June 2009, effectively ending the supply of this compound. As a result, EHC Global was put on notice by their suppliers that Hypalon will very quickly be in short supply and within a matter of months may be completely unavailable.
For over a decade Hypalon, a chlorinated polyethylene product, has been listed as both an ozone-depleting substance and known carcinogen. Disposal by incineration requires scrubbing to reduce Hydrogen Chloride and Sulphur Dioxide contamination while leaching of Carbon Tetrachloride is a concern with decomposition in landfill.
Fortunately for EHC Global customers, their thermoplastic NT3000 handrail provides a colourful and environmentally friendly alternative. NT3000 is manufactured using 100% recyclable materials, is available in endless color options, easy to keep clean, and is available with a permanent antimicrobial option that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungus.
In service of waste reduction initiatives and a commitment to making environmentally friendly business decisions, EHC is announcing that they will cease the manufacture of all Hypalon handrails by September 30th, 2009. Scarce materials surcharges will apply effective June 1st, 2009 and are expected to escalate as supplies dwindle. Customers requiring Hypalon handrails are recommended to contact their EHC representative to discuss their needs during this transition period.
Production of EHC’s Black SBR based TufFlex handrails will be unaffected by this announcement.
EHC Global invites all customers who have not yet tried NT3000 to contact their regional sales representative with any questions, requests for additional information and special NT3000 introductory offers for their area.
EHC is confident that moving forward the choice to not replace Hypalon® with unapproved generic Chlorosulphonated rubber products will help the lift industry achieve its ISO 14001 objectives and ultimately lead towards making the world a better place for future generations.
About EHC:
About EHC Global
Founded in 1977, EHC Global is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of escalator components, escalator handrail advertising, polyurethane products and radiation detection equipment. EHC has manufacturing facilities in Canada, China and Germany. In addition, EHC has sales offices and partners in the USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Austria, UK, Sweden, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey.
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Contact:
Tonya Kraan
Corporate Senior Manager, Marketing
E-mail:
Phone: 905-432-3200
