Barlan Press Release

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION

In Guipúzcoa on December 18, 2023

From my position as Administrator and Owner of Grupo Industrial Kempchen Comdiflex, S.A., and due to my condition of Doctor (active in Guipúzcoa, with nº7112), I have decided to suspend ALL PRODUCTION of Metalloplastic Joints filled with BARLÁN or any other ceramic fiber.
The alternative we will offer will be the filling of these joints with graphite. Without increasing, therefore, the cost derived from the use of this material with better properties.

This suspension has arisen due to the case of a worker directly linked to the handling of this material.
We have also begun a review of the risk analysis that Barlan, due to its components (Silicon Dioxide and artificial mineral fibers), may have in the medium and long term in any of the forms of presentation and handling (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

As a company in the petrochemical sector, with many years of existence, we have had to suffer the loss of workers, and friends, due to the use of asbestos, even using all kinds of controls and protections, until medical evidence convinced industries and public administrations of the significant risks involved. And the same thing has happened, arriving later rather than sooner, with many other products in many other areas or sectors.

But this time we are taking the first step.
Out of personal responsibility and because of our conviction and obligation acquired with our adherence to the KEMPCHEN COMDIFLEX ESG CRITERIA. These ethical principles prevent us from manufacturing with a potentially highly toxic material and involve our entire SECTOR in a single code of good practice and social responsibility.

It is crucial that no worker becomes ill simply because of working on plans, generally designed many years ago, and created before knowing the possible toxicity and the existence of other materials that surpass the qualities of those classics that we are discussing today.

Jose Cruz Ruiz Villandiego
Administrator-Owner
G.I.Kempchen Comdiflex

Data extracted from the product manufacturer’s references: