additives feature | PVC plasticizers
Eastman 168 SG is a
“sensitive”
grade aimed at applications
with high levels of human contact
which claims leadership in the market for non-phtha- late plasticizers. “Manufacturers are looking for a non-phthalate plasticizer that provides optimal performance with a minimal amount of reformulating. According to Stimpson’s colleague, plasticizers
business manager Steve Cullen, Eastman’s leadership in this particular sector of the market comes from the breadth of its portfolio and level of innovation. Eastman has particularly strong market positions in North America and Europe. The company’s principal plasticizer is Eastman 168, di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT), a commodity plasticizer which has been on the market for 40 years. Strictly speaking, it is not a non-phthalate, but the term “phthalate” is generally taken to mean ortho-phthalate. Eastman points out that the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulators specify “phthalate” to mean dialkyl ortho-phthalate ester. It says that Eastman 168 is toxicologically different, and that terephthalates are metabolized differently from ortho-phthalates. “Studies demonstrate that Eastman 168 is not a carcinogen, mutagen, or reproductive toxicant,” the company notes. “A senior EPA toxicologist has stated that terephthalates are biologically ‘inactive’ and have zero potential for reproductive effects.” In recent years, the company’s non-phthalate
portfolio has also grown through acquisitions. In 2010, it bought Genovique Specialties, which has technology for the production of benzoate ester high solvating speciality plasticizers that are mostly used in water- based adhesives. Genovique had manufacturing sites in the USA and in Europe (Estonia) as well as a joint venture in China. The following year, Eastman acquired a small Brazilian producer Scandifl ex do Brasil
Indústrias Químicas, as well as manufacturing assets in Texas belonging to Sterling Chemicals, which enabled it to increase capacity for Eastman 168 and other non-phthalate plasticizers.
Cullen says that DEHT is probably the most widely
How Eastman’s Effusion high solvator plasticizer can modify the properties of GP plasticizers
used general purpose non-phthalate plasticizer in the world and the third most widely used of any type (after DEHP and di-isononyl phthalate [DINP]).
Around two years ago, Eastman launched Eastman 168 SG, a “sensitive” version of Eastman 168 aimed at applications with high levels of human contact, such as medical tubing and bags, as well as toys and food-con- tact products. Cullen says that regular Eastman 168 has been sold into such applications for many years, but Eastman 168 SG has higher purity, and has been enhanced for specifi c target applications that are more closely regulated than others.
Eastman is not alone in supplying DEHT plasticizers. At the beginning of this year, Grupa Azoty introduced Oxovifl ex DEHT. Oxovifl ex is produced at a new 50,000 tonnes/year facility that started up in April. It uses proprietary technology developed by Grupa Azoty in co-operation with the Polish “Blachownia” Institute of Heavy Organic Chemical Synthesis. “Having a unique technology and dedicated plant guarantees high quality product with superior, consistent performance
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COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2015
www.compoundingworld.com
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