Plasticisers

What are plasticisers?

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85% of all plasticisers consumed in Europe are used in flexible PVC applications.

Modern plasticisers (US: plasticizers) are similar and simultaneously different – constituting a wide range of chemistries and molecules, bringing high performance in a wide array of safe and sustainable applications. They are colourless and odourless liquids which cannot be treated as additives like pigments or fillers. Today, over 85% of all plasticisers consumed in Europe are used in flexible PVC applications, mainly for the construction, automotive and wire & cable sectors. They are, in fact, primary functional substances that transform the physical properties of PVC and other polymers creating a whole new world of flexible and durable finished articles for high-performing applications.

What are the benefits of plasticisers?

There are several advantages of using plasticisers that make them an essential component in various industries.
Some of the key benefits include:

Flexibility and Softness

Plasticisers are substances that improve the flexibility and softness of materials. They lower the glass transition temperature of polymers, making them more malleable and less prone to breaking. This attribute is fundamental in producing flexible PVC goods, where flexibility is key.

Increased Durability

Plasticisers enhance the strength and endurance of plastic materials. They increase the materials’ ability to withstand impact and wear, enhancing the final products’ overall durability, making them ideal for applications that require long-lasting materials; this contributes to longer life and less waste.

Ease of Processing

Plasticisers help lower the viscosity of the polymer, making it simpler to mould or shape into the desired form. This results in a more efficient production process.

Low Volatility

Plasticisers with low volatility do not quickly evaporate or escape from the plastic, helping preserve the material’s desired properties for an extended period.

Versatility

Plasticisers are adaptable and can be customised to fit diverse uses. Depending on the needs of the final product, various plasticisers can be employed, providing the ability to personalise and optimise performance.

Cost-Effectiveness

Using plasticisers can often be cost-effective compared to alternative methods of achieving similar flexibility and softness in plastics. They can reduce the overall material costs while maintaining the desired characteristics.

Compatibility

Plasticisers are compatible with a wide range of polymers, enabling them to be used in various plastic and rubber-based materials, expanding their applicability across different industries.

Improved Processability

In addition to easing the manufacturing process, plasticisers can improve the flow properties of plastics, making them easier to fill into moulds and reducing the risk of defects during production.

Find out more about
plasticiser applications.

Energy

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Transport & mobility

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Healthcare

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Digital & electronics

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Construction

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Entertainment

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Manufacturing

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Sport & household

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What are the different types of plasticisers?

Various industries use different types of plasticisers, each with its own distinct chemical makeup and properties. Plasticisers are grouped into several categories based on their chemical composition and how they work. Some commonly used plasticisers adipates, citrates, or sebecates. Phthalates or Cyclohexanoates [like DINP & DINCH] are general purpose plasticsers.

Find any plasticiser and learn more about their classification, properties and where they are used.

Find out more about plasticiser chemistry here

Adipates such as diisononyl adipate DINA and diisodecyl adipate DIDA are commonly utilised in applications where there is a need for stability at high temperatures.

Citrate-based plasticisers, such as tributyl citrate TBC and acetyl tributyl citrate ATBC, are often used in food-contact and medical applications.

Sebacates, like diethyl sebacate (DES) and dimethyl sebacate (DMS), are used in applications requiring low-temperature flexibility, such as automotive interiors and outdoor products.