Plasticizers

A plasticizer is an additive that is added to another material (usually a plastic or an elastomer) to make that material softer or more pliable. The total number of chemicals described with potential usage as a plasticizer may approach 30,000. At present, about 100 different plasticizers are produced worldwide, although only about 50 of these are classified as commercially important. Approximately 90% of these plasticizers are used in the production of plasticized or flexible polyvinyl chloride products. Other polymer systems that use small amounts of plasticizers include polyvinyl butyral, acrylic polymers, poly(vinylidene chloride), nylon, polyolefins, polyurethanes, and certain fluoroplastics. The worldwide production of plasticizers is in the billions of dollars, with the majority of plasticizers being used in Asia, mainly in China. About 85% of these are phthalate ester plasticizers.