FRAMINGHAM, MA – Overall PC shipments in the third quarter were up 2.3% year-over-year, after three straight quarters of declines, according to IDC.
 

WASHINGTON – Three major producers of decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca) plan to phase out production of the disputed brominated flame-retardant by December 2012.

Chemtura, Albemarle and ICL Industrial Products say the decision is voluntary and is being undertaken in accordance with the wishes of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

While critics have long claimed that bromines are major causes of environmental and human health problems, H-P, Dell, Lenovo and other electronics OEMs state a lack of practical alternatives keeps them from switching to less controversial flame chemicals.

The news comes two days after legislation to require removal of Deca was introduced in the US House of Representatives. The Decabromine Elimination and Control Act of 200 (H.R. 4394) would ban Deca in all products by the end of 2013.

WASHINGTON – The US House of Representatives has introduced a bill calling for the phase-out of decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca), a common brominated flame-retardant used in most circuit boards.

WASHINGTON – Investment in technologies and the opening of markets abroad are at the core of a new policy for manufacturing issued by the Obama administration this week.