Risk-free plasticizers for sensitive applications

A variety of plasticizers are now available in response to the expanding and more complex requirements of processors. The uses of phthalates include almost all products made from soft PVC such as floor coverings, films, cable insulations, truck tarpaulins or insulating and sealing compounds. of properties, is especially suitable for a large number Soft PVC. Aside from phthalates, there are adipates which are esters of adipic acid, and are suitable as plasticizers for PVC and other plastics, especially if these have to be soft and flexible at sub-zero temperatures. These are ideal for food contact applications, and are frequently used in conjunction with polymer plasticizers for food film packaging. Polymeric plasticizers are esters of adipic acid with multivalent alcohols and are often used for tubing and foils, also with food contact. The list could go on and on as manufacturers come up with new products to meet diverse processing needs. In 2007, the European Union (EU) i s sued a regulation restricting the use of certain additives from the plasticizers group that come in contact with food. The regulations prompted plasticizers manufacturers to develop new products in line with the regulation. Sustainable plasticizers in toys and medical Products BASF has been vigorously pursuing the broadbased research project "Sustainable plasticizers" with the target to develop alternative plasticizers for sensitive applications, such as toys and products for children. The company's Hexamoll?DINCH is an innovative plasticizer that provides toy manufacturers with an ideal solution to adapting their products to the requirements of the EU regulation. Leaving out plasticizers completely isn抰 possible. The chemical additives in PVC act like a lubricant between the molecule chains of the polymer and make the plastic as soft and supple as is required for the intended application. "From the start Hexamoll?DINCH was subject to a large number of toxicological tests. In total €5 million have been spent on toxicological testing, making Hexamoll® DINCH", explains BASF toxicologist and product safety expert Dr. Rainer Otter. "All tests confirmed the excellent toxicological profile of Hexamoll?DINCH, underlining its exceptional suitability for sensitive applications. " Furthermore, Hexamoll?DINCH is also remarkable for its extremely low migration rate ?the amount of plasticizer molecules released by the plastic into a surrounding medium ?that has also been confirmed during comprehensive tests by the Fraunhofer-Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging. Hexamoll?DINCH is thus the plasticizer of choice for use in many medical devices where the plastic is in close contact with products which directly enter the patient's body. Enteral nutrition administered via stomach tube, for example, involves the use of bags and tubes made of soft PVC. Pfrimmer-Nutricia (Numico), one of the largest manufacturers of such feeding sets, has switched its production completely to Hexamoll?DINCH in 2005. Smurfs, doll's heads and footballs from major toy manufacturers like Schleich, Zapf and John already contain Hexamoll® DINCH. Demand for Hexamoll® DINCH has continuously increased since the market introduction in 2002 leading to full utilization of the 25,000 metric tons per year production plant in Ludwigshafen. In the meantime the capacity expansion up to 100,000 metric tons has come on stream. Jungbunzlauer's C I T ROFOL?BI I offers more than flexibility for its use in medical devices. The well known alternative plasticizer for sensitive PVC products offers a superior biocompatibility and customer acceptance due to its pharmaceutical approvals. Jungbunzlauer is one of the world's leading manufacturers of citric acid and derivatives based on natural and sustainable resources. CITROFOL? Jungbunzlauer's range of citrate esters used as plasticizers, is based on citric acDioni Tabbers