additives feature | PVC plasticizers
Construction applications can benefit from the sustainability message provided by bio-based plasticizers, says Teknor Apex
and plastisols, X-100 is a new dibenzoate grade for plastisol applications, and X-250 is a dibenzoate diblend intended for melt compounding and plastisol processing. US-based ISP Corporation, which was acquired by Ashland last year, developed its Flexidone range of plasticizers to provide a cost effective replacement for phthalates in applications including footwear, flooring and wire and cable. Based on alkyl pyrrolidone chemistry, the product line includes two product families extending to eight grades covering a range of solvating efficiency and thermal stability requirements. Flexidone FE is the most recent addition to the ISP
Consumer
products are also being targeted by
Teknor Apex with its vinyl compounds
incorporarting bio-based plasticizers
product line. The company says the FE products are more versatile than most traditional plasticizers, allowing them to be used both as primary and co-plasticizers. Like the longer established Flexidone line, formulations contain- ing Flexidone FE products can be processed at lower temperatures than traditional alternatives, opening up potential to reduce energy consumption. Germany’s Lanxess is a major player in the non-phthalate plasticizer market with products such as its flagship Mesamoll range of alkylsulphonic phenyl ester products. It estimates the global market for non-phthalate plasticizers to be worth around €1.3 billion and says demand is growing at around 7% a year. Aside from the Mesamoll products, the Lanxess line of phthalate plasticizer alternatives includes Unimoll glycerine acetates, Ultramoll adipic polyesters, and Adimoll adipates. The company further strengthened its position in the non-phthalate sector with the acquisition of US-based Unitex last year, which manufactures a range of phthalate-free plasticizers at its site at Greensboro in North Carolina. Lanxess is also working to develop a
range of bio-based phthalate-free plasticizers. The company has a development partnership with BioAm- ber, a US-based firm focused on manu- facturing bio-based chemicals, including succinic acid, by fermentation and purification
30 COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2012
www.compoundingworld.com
of natural plant sugars. Lanxess says the first commer- cial plasticizer products from this cooperation will be launched before the end of this year. “Our investment in BioAmber shows our commit-
ment to launching a new generation of plasticizers that satisfy regulatory requirements and can also score in terms of sustainability,” says Jorge Nogueira, who is head of the Lanxess Functional Chemicals business unit and also sits on the BioAmber board. BioAmber currently operates a pilot scale bio-suc- cinic acid plant at Pomacle in France with an annual production capacity of 3,000 tonnes. However, it is planning to build a 17,000 tonnes/year commercial scale unit on the Lanxess site at Sarnia in Canada. US chemical group Dow is also active in bio-based
plasticizers with its Ecolibrium range, which it markets for applications in industries such as electrical and electronic, wire and cable and transport. The company claims a near 100% renewable content for the Ecolib- rium plasticizers, which it says reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to conventional plasticizers. Characteristics include high temperature resistance and good solubility with general performance characteristics similar to formulations based on DIDP, it claims. Earlier this year, Dow signed an agreement with US
compounder Teknor Apex assigning exclusive market- ing rights in North America for PVC formulations containing the Ecolibrium plasticizers in a number of key market areas, including consumer and industrial products, some medical applications, automotive components, and wire and cable products. Teknor Apex already offers customers an extensive
range of phthalate-free plasticizer options, including adipates, citrates, dibenzoates, and trimellitates. It launched its first vinyl compounds using the Ecolibrium additives at the NPE show in the US in April this year.
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