WELLESLEY, Massachusetts, February 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Now in its 25th year, BCC Research's annual Conference on Recent Advances in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials is the premier industry event of its kind in the United States. In 2014 it will be held at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut, from May 19-21.

Geared specifically toward scientists and other technical specialists, this conference provides insight into recent developments in the flame retardancy industry. Presented by experts from both government/academia and the commercial/industrial sectors, it brings together industry leaders from around the world and offers excellent networking opportunities within a vibrant learning experience.

"The Flame Conference is highly regarded by industry practitioners worldwide. Each year it draws scientists and technologists to a unique forum focused on innovation. Our speakers are prominent experts who review exciting technological achievements in the industry. We also discuss regulatory issues and developments in testing technologies. There's really nothing quite like it," said the conference chairperson, Charles Wilkie, a professor at Marquette University.

The conference will be preceded by an interactive "short course" for industry newcomers on the Selection, Evaluation, and Commercial Application of Flame Retardant Polymers on May 18, 2014. Industrial experts in the field will explain how flame retardancy occurs, how it is evaluated, and fire retardants available commercially.

BCC Research has published a related report, Flame Retardant Chemicals: Technologies and Global Markets (CHM014L), that reviews industry trends and presents market sizing and forecast data. According to analyst Anna Welch Crull, global consumption of flame retardant chemicals is estimated at 4 billion pounds for 2013. This market is expected to reach 5.2 billion pounds in 2018, and register a five-year compound annual growth rate of 5% for the period 2013 to 2018.

Government regulations and industry standards obligate manufacturers to add flame retardant chemicals to a wide range of products that are used every day. The irony of this industry is that some of these flame retardant products, while responsible for saving countless lives, may be toxic. To protect consumers and the environment, regulations are put in place limiting the use of specific flame retardants in certain applications. The benefits of protecting people from death and property from damage resulting from fires must be weighed against exposure to chemicals that could be potentially harmful to human health and the environment, generating ongoing effort to balance these factors. This drives innovation in new compounds and approaches to fire retardancy, which are expected to gain market share over the next five years.

About BCC Research

BCC Research publishes market research reports that make organizations worldwide more profitable with intelligence that drives smart business decisions. These reports cover today's major industrial and technology sectors, including emerging markets. For more than 40 years we've helped customers identify new market opportunities with accurate and reliable data and insight. These include, but are not limited to, market sizing, forecasting, industry overviews, and identification of significant trends and key competitors. We partner with analysts who are experts in specific areas of industry and technology. Their up-to-date knowledge gives our customers unbiased measurements and assessments of these vital markets. Because our reports offer a global focus, our customers include the top companies in industries around the world as well as universities, major business schools, start-ups, consulting firms and investment companies. BCC Research is a unit of Eli Research LLC.

Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC, 49-2 Walnut Park, Wellesley, MA 02481, Telephone: +1-781-489-7301; Email editor@bccresearch.com as the source and publisher. Thank you.

For more information, visit: http://www.bccresearch.com/conference/flame; a brochure describing the conference sessions is available for download. Questions can be directed to the conference manager, Erin Huelskamp, at erin.huelskamp@bccresearch.com or +1-781-923-0234. Editors and reporters who require more information or would like to speak with the conference chairperson should contact Erin.

SOURCE BCC Research LLC