2nd Feb 2015 10:59
LONDON (Alliance News) - Nanoco PLC Monday noted that the European Parliament is shortly expected to review a proposed exemption to the restriction of hazardous substances directive for quantum dots containing cadmium, a decision that could have big implications for the company's sales of non-cadmium dots.
Quantum dots are nanocrystals made of semiconductor materials, which can be used in solar cells, LEDs and diode lasers. Nanoco's quantum dots do not contain cadmium - a heavy metal that is currently restricted under European and other territories environmental legislation.
However, a proposal is being put forward that would grant an exemption of this restriction through until end-June 2018, claiming that whilst it would desirable to substitute cadmium out, cadmium-free quantum dots are "years away from production."
Nanoco argues this is not the case as cadmium-free quantum dots are currently available from it, and the Dow Chemical Co's mass production facility in South Korea is on track for commercial production of the dots in the first half of 2015.
"We await the decision of the European Parliament but in our view an exemption is entirely inappropriate and in conflict with the RoHS's stated objective of restricting the use of hazardous substances," said Chief Executive Officer Michael Edelman in a statement.
Shares in Nanoco are trading down 2.0% at 93.11 pence Monday morning.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @HanaSSAllNews
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