Flame retardants are chemicals, which are added to combustible materials to render them more resistant to ignition. They are designed to abate the risk of a fire in case of contact with small heat sources, such as cigarette, candle, or an electrical fault. If the flame retarded material or nearby material is ignited, the flame retardant may retard the combustion and often prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby environment.  There are a wide range of different chemicals, which are used as flame retardants in combinations with polymers. Fire retardant products are necessary, because the materials and products, which are to be rendered fire proof, are very different in nature and composition. The plastics and polymers are needed to be matched to the appropriate flame retardants, in order to retain the key material functionalities. Flame retardants are necessary to ensure the fire safety of a wide range of materials, including plastics, foam and fiber insulation materials, foams in furniture, mattresses, wood products, and natural and man-made textiles.

2016 年8 月，忠旺集团宣布通过旗下忠旺美国收购爱励铝业；而在2017 年11月，该公司公开称已和爱励铝业达成一致，终止双方合并协议。同时，公司公开称，原因是该交易在获得美国外国投资委员会（CIFUS）的审批方面存在较大不确定因素，并购双方选择让协议于2017 年11 月12 日期满后终止。