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The Chemistry of Matches

After fielding questions from students about what chemicals are in matches this week, it seemed like a good topic for a post looking at the question in more detail. When using matches on a day-to-day basis, you probably don’t think much of the chemical composition, or the reactions that are being set off; this graphic takes a look at some of the chemicals you can find in your average safety match, and the role they play.

Spotlight

Sud-Chemie

Süd-Chemie is a highly-innovative, listed, specialty chemicals company headquartered in Munich. With its two divisions of Adsorbents and Catalysts, the Süd-Chemie Group, which has around 5,000 employees, generates total sales of almost 1.1 billion euros.

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The Chemistry of Matches