PLASTICISERS | PVC
The plasticiser industry – and its customers – continue to face regulatory pressure. It is responding with better science and an array of new plasticiser
options.Peter Mapleston finds out more
Plasticisers – science and regulation
The PVC industry has been battling detractors for decades. For a long time, the big issue was VCM (vinyl chloride monomer). Today, it is phthalate plasticisers. Opponents have their sights focused on low-molecular weight types in general and diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) in particular, but other plasticiser types have been caught up in the action too. Some plasticiser producers may have breathed a sigh of relief at the EU’s recent decision not to classify diisononyl phthalate (DINP) as reprotoxic. But DEHP still faces stormy weather and recent moves could spell the end for it in one key market, at least in Europe. Meanwhile, beyond the legal sector, researchers are hard at work develop- ing new – and possibly better performing – plasti- cisers. This article takes a look at some of the latest regulatory and technical developments. This March, the Risk Assessment Committee
(RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) rejected a proposal by the Danish environmental authority to classify the plasticiser diisononyl phthalate (DINP) as reprotoxic. “Overall, RAC concluded that no classification for DINP for either effects on sexual function and fertility, or for developmental toxicity is warranted,” it said in a statement. This means that classification in neither
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Category 1B nor Category 2 will not be required. “This brings to a close a regulatory process which lasted over three years from the original Reg- istry of Intent from Denmark, followed by a public consultation, a year-long assessment of the proposal by a RAC rapporteur and co-rapporteur, culminating in a conclusion by the full RAC commit- tee in March 2018,” says Michela Mastrantonio, Manager at trade association European Plasticisers. “The RAC opinion provides a further extensive regulatory assessment of DINP, demonstrating that there is no need for hazard classification and supporting that DINP is safe for use in current applications. We are confident this brings a strong reassuring message to the industry, the value chain and consumers on the safety and sustainability of DINP and flexible vinyl articles as well as other products made with DINP.” DINP producers Evonik Performance Materials
and ExxonMobil both welcomed the decision. Evonik had participated intensively in technical discussion on the classification of DINP, says Dr Hendrik Fischer in Product Stewardship at Evonik. “The RAC’s evaluation confirms the results of our many years of research in this area: DINP can be used with complete safety in all of its various
August 2018 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 17
Main image: Medical bags are one of the key battle grounds for plasticiser producers
PHOTO: EASTMAN
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