Growth in non-phthalate alternatives seen

Plasticisers remain one of the bestselling chemicals. They are needed to improve the properties of plastics, paints and varnishes, rubber, and adhesives. The market research institute Ceresana forecasts worldwide demand for plasticisers to rise to more than 7.6 million tonnes annually until 2018. The largest market is the Asia-Pacific region, with China holding on to its dominating position with a 65% share.

In North America and Western Europe, demand is expected to see only belowaverage growth, but all other regions, Middle East and Africa included, will expand their shares. Dynamic development in various regions offers manufacturers and processors of plasticisers the best opportunities. Ceresana anticipates demand in these countries will increase by more than 4% per year by 2018. Floorings, profiles, cables, and films made of plastics, especially PVC, are the most important fields of application for plasticisers. All in all, they account for more than 53% of the global market.

In 2010, the market was still dominated by phthalate plasticisers. With a roughly 54% share, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the most widely used plasticiser but this is being replaced by other plasticisers over the next years.

Due to legal provisions and growing environmental awareness, producers are increasingly forced to use non-phthalate plasticisers.

Non-phthalate options

Eastman Chemical Company has expanded its non-phthalate plasticiser portfolio with the addition of Eastman 168? SG (sensitive grade) non-phthalate plasticiser. Eastman 168 SG non-phthalate plasticiser is an enhanced grade of the industry-leading Eastman 168 nonphthalate plasticiser. This new plasticiser is specifically targeted for highly sensitive applications such as medical devices, toys, childcare articles and food-contact products.

For medical device original equipment manufacturers, Eastman 168? SG offers a combination of price and efficiency in the market. The plasticiser can be used as an alternative to DEHP, and it offers easy replacement for DEHP and tris (2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM) and is more efficient than using some of the other non-phthalate plasticisers available.

Eastman 168 SG has clean toxicological and regulatory profiles while remaining cost-efficient. It offers assurance of supply continuity and the most stringent quality assurance protocols. It has high product purity and customers also gain access to proprietary ISO 10993 and USP Class VI test data.

Perstorp has also launched Emoltene?, its version of sustainable plasticiser.

Emoltene?s excellent weathering behaviour makes it a good choice for outdoor applications such as roofing membranes and tarpaulins. Emoltene? has been extensively researched to ensure that it poses no risk to human health or to the environment. The main advantages with Emoltene? are dimensional stability, recyclability, UV stability, good temperature resistance, water and flame resistance, solvent and chemical resistance, good cutting, printing and welding properties, good outdoor weathering and its light weight.

Evonik has also commissioned its production facility for its new generation of PVC plasticisers. ELATUR? CH plasticiser is a phthalate-free plasticiser 1,2-Cyclohexa dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester. Evonik's new production plant came on stream at Marl Chemical Park with an annual production capacity of 40,000 metric tonnes. Plasticisers from Evonik are primarily used in the plastics, automotive, and construction industry.

With Lanxess AG as partner, BioAmber has co-developed a family of phthalate free, bio-based succinate plasticisers in response to the growing market need for plasticisers that demonstrate both performance and regulatory compliance.

The family of phthalate-freeNike Tiempo Legend