Plasticizers

Plasticizers lower the glass transition temperature of PVC, rubber and cellulose polymers so that cables, flooring, films, hoses and coatings stay flexible. General-purpose phthalates Dioctyl Terephthalate, Diisodecyl Phthalate, Dibutyl Phthalate, Diisobutyl Phthalate and Dimethyl Phthalate (DMP) cover the bulk of PVC compounding; Dioctyl Adipate is the low-temperature plasticizer and Trioctyl Trimellitate the high-temperature choice for automotive and cable grades.

Specialty items include the phosphate esters Tricresyl Phosphate, Trioctyl Phosphate (TOP), Tributyl Phosphate (TBP), TriIsobutyl Phosphate (TiBP) and Tris(2-butoxyethyl) Phosphate, which add flame retardancy; Chlorinated Paraffin as a secondary plasticizer; and the food- and pharma-compatible esters Triacetin, Triethyl Citrate and Glyceryl Diacetate for coatings, capsules and flavour carriers. Dioctyl Maleate, Dibutyl Maleate and Dioctyl Fumarate are supplied as reactive plasticizers for emulsion polymers.