Borax in coolants
The substance borax (disodium tetraborate pentahydrate) is a real all-rounder and can be found in countless products such as detergents and cleaning agents, toys, paints, industrial and brake fluids, glass, ceramics, flame retardants and disinfectants, cosmetics, food additives and industrial fluids. Nevertheless, the substance has been listed on the so-called candidate list for substances of concern since 2010. But why is that?
Natural borax crystal (Illustration)
At high concentrations, borax is suspected of impairing fertility and is therefore considered to be harmful to fertility, although scientists are still not in agreement about the actual harmfulness of the substance. For this reason, the use of borax in concentrations of 5.5 percent and above must be separately labeled, and in concentrations of 6.5 percent and above, the substance is considered to be of concern. According to the 17th amendment to the CLP Regulation, a stricter labeling requirement will apply from December 17, 2022, starting at a content of 0.3 percent.
Coolants from the Protect family
How much borax is contained in our coolants?
Our Protect IP, PRO, R and KOR coolants do not contain any borax. Only our coolant Protect N contains a very small amount of borax, which, depending on the mixing ratio, is only 0.19 to 0.23 percent, i.e. well below the current labeling requirement and far from any actual concerns.
For a better overview, here is the percentage of borax in our Protect N mixtures:
| Borax | |
| Protect N 25 % | < 0,19 % |
| Protect N 30 % | < 0,23 % |
Does the use of borax in coolants pose a problem?
In 2017, the EU Commission decided that the substance would not be included in Annex XIV of the REACH Regulation for the time being and that the procedure would continue. However, it is becoming apparent that the substance could even be removed from the candidate list for substances of concern within the next 1 to 2 years.
Therefore, when using our coolants, you need have no concerns due to the extremely low concentration, neither with regard to the legal framework (up to the 40 percent mixture), nor with regard to potential health consequences.
Not the right coolant for your ideas or requirements? Then please contact our sales department directly at +49 (0) 8405 / 9259-0 or send us an e-mail with your requirements. We will then check with you the best possible feasibility.