Non-phthalate options meet regulatory approvals

 Plasticisers improve the properties of plastics, paints and varnishes, rubber, and adhesives. The market research institute Ceresana forecasts worldwide demand for plasticisers to surge to more than 7.6 million tonnes yearly until 2018. Important applications for plasticisers are for floorings, profiles, cables and films, according to the study by Ceresana, and these account for over 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. However, the trend is towards replacement of DEHP, with growing environmental awareness forcing producers to increasingly go for non-phthalate plasticisers.
Eastman Chemical Company (www.eastman.com) has over 30 years track record as producer of non-phthalate general purpose and specialty plasticisers, supplying to a wide customer base, including customers in the Middle East. With its clean and comprehensive toxicological profile, Eastman 168? non-phthalate plasticiser has been around for more than three decades and has gained a long list of regulatory approvals for its safe use in general purpose applications. The company's acquisition of the Benzoflex? family of benzoate plasticisers in 2010 and the launch of Eastman? DBT non-phthalate plasticiser added to its broad range of non-phthalate alternatives. "We have an excellent and broad offering of non-phthalate alternatives in the fast-fusing, high-solvating segment that meet our customers' needs in all regions, including the Middle East, where we see growing demand for non-phthalate plasticisers" according to Dr. Steve Cullen Plasticizers Business Strategy Manager.

Replacing phthalates in sensitive applications
Even whilst phthalate plasticisers account for about 54% of global market share, the surge in non-phthalate plasticiser demand cannot be ignored. Thus, Eastman 168? was developed as a general purpose plasticiser as a ready, drop-in replacement for some of the most widely used ortho-phthalate plasticisers that are experiencing regulatory pressure in markets around the world. It finds particular utility in sensitive applications where brand owners are looking for compliance and differentiation, whilst continuing to provide the same high-performance products for their customers. The material offers good performance properties, excellent low temperature flexibility, resistance to extraction by soapy water and excellent non-migration properties. In plastisols, Eastman168? plasticiser results in low initial viscosity and excellent keeping viscosity
"We have seen growing demand for Eastman 168? non-phthalate plasticiser in toys, childcare articles, medical devices, and a wide range of other consumer applications worldwide. We are also active in food contact applications; we announced U.S. FDA expanded food contact clearance for our Eastman 168? non-phthalate plasticiser," Cullen explains.
Food Contact Notification (FCN) 1056 permits the use of Eastman 168? in contact with all food types at levels up to 55% by weight of the finished plasticised PVC formulations for repeated use articles. Eastman Benzoflex benzoate specialty plasticisers offer a 25 year track record of use in water-based adhesives, caulks and sealants.
The company has also received full registration for Eastman 168? in accordance with the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. This registration entitles Eastman, to import, manufacture or use Eastman 168? in quantities exceeding 1000 tonnes per year - the highest volume registration under REACH.
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