Phthalates
Phthalates are the most commonly used plasticisers. They are colourless, odourless liquids produced by a simple chemical reaction, whereby molecules of water are eliminated from commercially produced petrochemical products.
Many different plasticisers are produced but less than 100 are in commercial use. More than 90% of phthalates produced in Europe are used to plasticise PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to make flexible PVC products.
The most common phthalates are di-isononyl phthalate (DINP); di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP); and di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP, also sometimes called DOP).
Phthalates are widely used as general-purpose plasticisers because they offer the advantage of lower costs and increased production efficiency. This is achieved through improved melt viscosity and production speeds of heated PVC with phthalates added. Increased flow characteristics give better workability and reduced out-of service breaks in equipment.
We use many PVC products everyday but tend to take them for granted. They include everything from footwear and electrical cables to packaging, stationery and flooring. In addition, phthalates are used in other non-PVC applications such as paints, rubber products and some adhesives.