additives feature | Plasticizers
Data presented by the ECPI shows how the use of phthalate plasticizers in Western Europe has shifted to high molecular weight chemistries (based on data from IHS and ExxonMobil estimates)
“High molecular weight (HMW) phthalates have become dominant in the market,” says the company. “The likes of BASF and Oxea have completely withdrawn from manufacturing LMW plasticizers and started to explore a new non-phthalate plasticizer route with the respective introduction of Hexamoll DINCH [a diisononyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate] and Oxsoft. At the same time, US-based Eastman adopted a more active strategy towards its Eastman 168 terephthalate ester, and it did not take a lot of time for Grupa Azoty to introduce its non-phthalate PTA-based Oxoplast plasticizer.” Oxoplast is currently produced on a multi-purpose plant, and the company is now building a dedicated plant with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes/year. This plant will be fully operational next January. Last November, Eastman announced European availability of its Eastman 168 SG, an enhanced, high-purity grade of Eastman 168 dioctyl terephthalate. It says that the new plasticizer is specifi cally targeted at fl exible PVC medical devices, as well as other highly sensitive applications including toys, childcare articles and food contact products. It is marketed as an alternative to DEHP and also TOTM (trioctyl trimelli- tate). Eastman says that the new plasticizer “excels in PVC powder mixing performance and has good sterilization stability.”
According to ECPI estimates, DEHP still represents close to 50% of the phthalates used worldwide whereas high phthalates dominate in Europe and the US
Following an assessment by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the European Commission concluded in January that “no unacceptable risk has been character- ised for the uses of DINP and DIDP in articles other than toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mouth”. The Commission decided that the existing restriction of DINP and DIDP in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mouth – in place since 2005 on a precautionary basis – should be maintained. “DINP and DIDP are therefore safe for use in all current consumer applications,” says the ECPI. Polish plasticizer producer Grupa Azoty is one of the
biggest manufacturers of DEHP in the EU. It also produces DPHP (di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate) HMW phthalate and non-phthalate (PTA-based DOTP, dioctyl terephthalate) plasticizers, as well as specialty plasticizer for medical applications under the trade name Oxoplast Medica. It says the European plasticiz- ers market has become very dynamic and competitive over the past few years.
50 COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2014
“Non-phthalates are undoubtedly on a rising path,” says Azoty. “Though the bio-based market is at an early stage, it has to be recognized as a dynamically develop- ing one in terms of product range and demand.” According to data from IHS, overall plasticizer use is growing at slightly over 3% per year, and non-phthalate types are growing at a faster rate overall – in some cases over three times that of the market as a whole. Emerald Kalama Chemical says it has experienced
growth rates in excess of this and continues to expand its K-Flex non-phthalate plasticizer line “in capacity and technology development.”. The company produces plasticizers based on dibenzoate ester technology in Kalama, WA, USA, and at Rotterdam in the Netherlands. It opened a new plant in Rotterdam in late 2012, and an expansion at Kalama in 2013 doubled its US plasticizer capacity. The company says that in addition to the growing
demand for products not classifi ed as “substances of very high concern”, more stringent volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations, such as the ISO 16000-6 Chamber Test, are being embraced by organizations including the AgBB in Germany, CE in France, and the US Green Building LEEDv4. It adds that it is focusing on developing differentiated plasticizer technologies in response to these shifting demands. Emerald Kalama has introduced several new
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