What are Plasticisers?
A plasticiser is a substance added to a material — most commonly PVC — to make it flexible, resilient, and easier to process. Without plasticisers, PVC is naturally rigid at room temperature. Adding plasticisers changes the molecular spacing within the polymer, locking in softness and flexibility once the material cools.
Why PVC is Plasticised
Around 30% of PVC resin in Europe is made into flexible products — such as cables, flooring, wall coverings, medical devices, and coated fabrics. The choice of plasticiser directly influences flexibility, durability, and resistance to heat, cold, or chemicals.
Types of Plasticisers
More than 300 types of plasticisers exist, with about 50–100 in commercial use today. They are generally grouped into families:
- General-purpose plasticisers – e.g. DINP, DOTP, DINCH – widely used in flooring, films, and cables.
- Specialty plasticisers – e.g. trimellitates, adipates, citrates, benzoates – chosen for specific needs like low-temperature performance, high heat resistance, or food contact.
- Bio-based plasticisers – increasingly developed to support circular and renewable goals.
Safety and Regulation
All plasticisers placed on the European market are registered and assessed under REACH, the world’s strictest chemical safety framework.
Low molecular weight (LMW) phthalates have been substituted in Europe, while high molecular weight (HMW) phthalates such as DINP and DIDP are among the most thoroughly studied chemicals and are approved for use in regulated applications.
At the same time, non-phthalate alternatives — including adipates, trimellitates, citrates, and bio-based options — are increasingly used where required by regulation or customer preference.