,"The Swedish Chemicals Agency has granted Senior Material in Eskilstuna a renewed exemption to use 1,280 tonnes of methylene chloride, a banned substance in Sweden, for the production of separator film for lithium batteries. The derogation applies from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2027, with production expected to start early next year. The company demonstrated compliance with the three legal conditions for exemption: ensuring worker safety, proving no available alternatives, and committing to continuously investigating substitutes. Strict monitoring requirements accompany the approval, including follow-up on workplace exposure six months after production begins, in line with the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s regulations. Methylene chloride is suspected of being carcinogenic and harmful by skin contact or inhalation. The agency emphasized its authority to revoke the exemption if safety conditions are not met. While the exemption covers workplace use, environmental emissions will be assessed separately by the County Administrative Board’s environmental assessment delegation."
Consumer News Region