ADDITIVES | PLASTICISERS
real-world conditions and supports the continued safe use of these important chemistries.”
Non-phthalate options Non-phthalate-based plasticisers of various chemistries have been introduced over the years, and manufacturers report increased use. Aurorium, which offers the non-phthalate
Citroflex product line, reported that it sees an increasing focus on bio-based and non-phthalate alternatives. “This trend is driven by tighter environmental regulations, rising consumer awareness, and the demand for more environmentally responsible materials. Regulatory bodies such as ECHA have restricted the use of certain phthalates in medical devices, food contact uses and other consumer products. As a result, the adoption of non-phthalate plasticisers has accelerated,” the company said. Aurorium’s Citroflex B-6 plasticiser is used in
Eastman’s new Benzoflex 172 compared with other Eastman plasticisers Source: Eastman
The group noted that in the final risk evaluation,
EPA concluded that all 15 consumer uses and 28 out of 32 industrial and commercial uses EPA evaluated for DINP under TSCA are safe, which is approximately 97% of the produced volume. Similarly, for DIDP, in the final risk evaluation, EPA concluded that 43 of the 49 industrial/commercial/ consumer uses for DIDP are safe, which is approximately 99% of the produced volume. “These assessments of safety are key to manufacturer and consumer confidence: manufacturer-requested risk evaluations are an important tool for transparent, fair, and evidence- based risk evaluations and are the same level of rigor – the requirement to use the best available science and undergo expert peer review – as EPA-initiated risk evaluations,” said the group. “While a small number of conditions of use were identified as posing unreasonable risk under specific, high-exposure scenarios, these conditions are not likely to exist in industrial and commercial settings where automation and personal protective equipment is routinely used. We look forward to continuing our engagement with EPA to help ensure that the risk management process reflects
38 COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2025
PVC medical device applications as a drop-in replacement for DEHP, with the low-temperature flexibility that is necessary for many medical applications, such as blood product storage, the company reported. It has been used for more than 20 years in medical applications. Aurorium’s Citroflex A-4 plasticiser, a partially bio-based, phthalate-free plasticiser, is widely used in medical tubing, food wraps and films, and injection moulded products such as children’s toys and animal ear tags, the company said. The latest from Eastman is Benzoflex 172, a monobenzoate-based plasticiser for PVC plastisols or other moderately polar polymers like polyurethane. In plastisols, the new additive more efficiently plasticises and reduces viscosity compared to two of the company’s traditional plasticisers: Benzoflex 131 and Eastman TX1B. Benzoflex 172 is better than other plasticisers at improving flexibility (ie, hardness reduction) in lab testing, which could allow lower use levels. The company said the new plasticiser also reduced fusion temperature, which is beneficial for PVC processing.
Capacity expansion Evonik announced in late 2024 that it would begin expanding capacity for its isononanol (INA)-based plasticisers: Elatur CH, a di-isononyl-1,2- cyclohexanoate (DINCH) and Elatur DINCD, a cyclohexanoate. The company said that these products, introduced in recent years, have become established as “new standard plasticisers with Evonik Oxeno customers”. The capacity expansions will be integrated into the existing network of C4 plants in Marl, Germany.
www.compoundingworld.com
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