Melamine

Melamine (CAS 108-78-1) is a nitrogen-rich triazine compound used primarily as a reactive monomer in thermosetting resin production and as a flame retardant additive. Also known as cyanuric triamide.

Where is Melamine used?

• Resins: reacts with formaldehyde to form durable melamine-formaldehyde thermosets
• Laminates, surface coatings and wood-based panel adhesives
• Coatings and adhesives: hard, scratch-resistant finishes for furniture, flooring and automotive topcoats
• Textile and paper processing: wet strength, crease resistance and dimensional stability
• Flame retardant in polyurethane foams, epoxy systems and engineering plastics requiring halogen-free fire performance
• Its high nitrogen content makes it commercially valuable.
• Melamine resin is used as a super-plasticizer in concrete to decrease water content and enhance strength and durability.
• Melamine is used in fabric softeners to encapsulate fragrances that are later released when the laundry is worn.
• Melamine powder is used as an adsorptive decolorizer for activated bleaching earth, petroleum refining and environmental water treatment.

Formulation notes

• It is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong acids.

Typical specification

• Decomposition temperature is above 350 °C.
• It is available as industrial grade powder.
• Melamine is available as a polishing powder grade.

Regulatory status

• Melamine was identified in 2023 as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) because it persists very long in the environment, is mobile in the water cycle and is both human- and ecotoxic.
• Because melamine is a Substance of Very High Concern, special information obligations apply in the supply chain, which also benefit consumers.
• It is not considered dangerous for transport under ADR, RID, IMDG, ADN and IATA.

Storage, packaging and handling

• No expiry date applies under normal storage conditions.
• Storage class is 13.
• It is stable under normal storage conditions.

Frequently asked questions about Melamine

What is the specific migration limit for melamine in food-contact applications?

The specific migration limit for melamine is 2.5 mg per kg of food.

Is melamine approved for use in food-contact plastics in the EU?

Melamine is approved under the Commodities Ordinance and Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 for the manufacture of food-contact plastics, such as packaging material or plastic tableware.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.