No. 1031 - Miljøstyrelsen

• Mouldmaking (reproduction of complicated shapes).
Consumption
Based on Will et al. 2003 the total consumption with special purpose sealants
can be estimated at 390 t/year, broken down into automotive applications
(130 t), electrical fittings (80 t), domestic appliances (50 t), consumer goods
inclusive of packaging (50 t), business machines (20 t) and mould-making
(20 t).
Siloxanes used
A large number of different siloxanes are used for this application area.
Fate of the siloxanes
The siloxanes in other elastomers will mainly be disposed of for incineration
with municipal solid waste or waste from management of electrical and electronic
waste. The main part of the silicones used for automotive applications
will be landfilled with waste from shredders.
2.2.12 Other uses of silicone fluids
Silicone fluids may be used for different applications not included above.
These applications include use in reprography, impregnation of water-proof
insulation materials and probably other uses.
The consumption of silicone fluids for other applications is, with a sidelong
glance at Will et al. 2003, roughly estimated to be of the order of magnitude
of 50 t/year.
2.3 Summary
The present information on the use of siloxanes in Denmark in 2001 is summarised
in Table 2.6.
The main application areas are sealants for construction (29%), processing
aids (15%) and textile applications (12%).
The type can roughly indicate the potential for releases of the compounds to
the atmosphere and wastewater. Volatile fluids are released to the atmosphere,
whereas other fluids may end up in wastewater or released directly to surface
water and soil. Elastomers and resins will mainly end up in solid waste.
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