German:
Weichmacher
Spanish:
plastificantes
French:
plastifiants
Italian:
plastificanti
Russian:
Мягчители, Пластификаторы
Arabic:
الملدنات
Chinese:
增塑剂
Japanese:
可塑剤 (かそざい)
General overview of plasticizers
When taking production quantities into consideration, plasticizers (BE: plasticisers) are some of the absolute most important chemicals produced. They are added to plastics to help with processing and improve the end product's ductility, as well as flexibility. Between 80% and 90% of worldwide plasticizer consumption is applied to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The rest is principally used in paints and lacquers, as well as rubber and adhesives. More than 5.5 million tons of plasticizers were sold throughout 2004, with a total value of approximately 7 billion Euros. Markets in Southeast Asia are the most considerable growth factors, while markets in Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world remain fairly stagnant.
The most commonly applied plasticizers are esters of phthalic acids, whereby the share of phthalates in Europe and the US has reached just less than 90 percent, and amounts to between 65 and 80 percent throughout Asia. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and diisononylphthalate (DINP) are particular targets of environmentalist groups, for instance, due to their potential ability to damage the reproductive system. Certain plasticizers have been banned from children's toys and replaced by other substances in the EU and the US. The same applies to plastic medical products, such as intravenous hoses and blood bags.
However, it is difficult to find adequate substitutes for phthalates. Although trimellitates, phosphorous chemicals, citrates, and epoxidized oils exist with their particular niche markets, to this day none of these alternatives have found such a wide range of applications like phthalates have. Considering plasticizers have a weight proportion of up to 60% in PVC, environmental discussions have substantial impacts on costs, and consequently the competitive situation of manufacturers.
Plasticizer alcohols, such as 2-ethylhexanol, are important preliminary products for the manufacture of phthalates and many other plasticizers. Worldwide demand for these alcohols is anticipated to increase from the current total of approximately 4 million tons, to more than 5 million tons by 2010.
Comprehensive information on the 69 most important plasticizers - their characteristics, application areas, market data, manufacturers, as well as legal and environmental aspects - can be found in Market Study - Plasticizers, from Ceresana Research.
Three examples of important plasticizers:
Last Revision: 13 Feb 09
