Industry Impact of Commodity Chemicals
Commodity chemicals are widely used single substances or chemical compounds with well-known chemical structures, often manufactured in large volumes and used across an extensive range of industries.
As they are typically used to create conditions or act as aids in a process, they do not usually stay on the final article. Additionally, they are normally standardised, meaning two commodity chemicals produced by different manufacturers can be interchangeable. Because of this low differentiation, they are primarily sold based on price and availability, rather than unique properties.
Commodity chemicals represent the foundation of the chemical industry, encompassing primary substances like acids, bases, and salts, which serve as building blocks for the production of more complex compounds and materials. Due to their fundamental role, commodity chemicals greatly contribute to global economic growth and industrial development.
In the textile, apparel, leather, and footwear industry, they are typically used as the following:
- Acids
- Bases
- Inorganic salts
- Organic commodities
- Buffering agents
- Reducing agents
- Oxidizing agents
- Anti-oxidants
Challenges in Testing and Managing Commodity Chemicals
Commodity chemicals are typically produced in pure form, but contamination can occur when they are sourced as by-products from other industries. Even trace levels of restricted substances can have significant consequences due to the large-scale use of these chemicals. Contaminants may leach from packaging, such as phthalates from rubber gaskets, silicates from glass, or metals from metal containers. In some regions, street vendors reuse drums from informal supply chains, increasing contamination risks. Additionally, bulk chemicals transported in shipping containers may be exposed to industrial cleaning agents like APEOs. The risk is even greater for non-virgin commodity chemicals, which are often sourced from various industries and may contain unknown impurities.
The complex and often untraceable supply chain of commodity chemicals makes quality control challenging. Many are sold based on price or availability, with frequent supplier switching and minimal regulation, especially in industries not requiring MRSL testing. In some regions, street vendors sell repackaged or industrial by-product chemicals with no licence and little oversight, increasing contamination risks.
Additionally, the majority of commodity chemicals are comprised of acids and bases, which due to their pH values, cannot easily be tested by traditional methods. Other commodity chemicals, such as inorganic salts, are not soluble in traditional solvents, making extraction difficult.
ZDHC Commodity Chemicals Guide
A key resource in addressing these challenges is the ZDHC Commodity Chemicals Guide v1.0, which provides industry best practices for managing and assessing commodity chemicals. The guide helps stakeholders navigate issues related to contamination, traceability, and compliance, reinforcing the need for advanced testing solutions.
ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) is a global initiative aimed at eliminating hazardous chemicals from the textile, apparel, leather, and footwear supply chains. The organisation brings together leading brands, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders to create and promote best practices, standards, and guidelines to ensure chemical safety, improve sustainability, and drive innovation in the sector. ZDHC’s work focuses on improving the management of chemicals and reducing environmental and health risks across the industry.
Commodity chemicals have long been overlooked in testing and regulation, but growing industry concerns and increasing recognition of the need for stricter oversight are bringing them into focus. As a result, efforts to improve testing methods and quality control are now gaining momentum. As industry awareness increases, it is likely that ZDHC will introduce testing requirements in the near future, further reinforcing the need for proactive measures.
Introducing Eurofins solution for testing MRSL in commodity chemicals
Whilst ZDHC’s guide is a step in the right direction, there is a growing need for more effective solutions to ensure the quality and safety of commodity chemicals.
In response to this, Eurofins Sustainability Services have developed a method to test for hazardous contaminants in commodity chemicals, providing an innovative approach to commodity chemical testing, in compliance with ZDHC’s MRSL.
Our solution is the first on the market to directly test commodity chemicals for MRSL compliance. It enables the analysis of a wide range of chemicals, including acids, bases, solvents, and processing aids commonly used in textile and footwear manufacturing. This service is designed for chemical manufacturers, textile suppliers, brands, and retailers seeking to verify the safety and compliance of their commodity chemicals.
