The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) Lists Benzoflex® Plasticizers as Key Alternative to Phthalates
ROSEMONT, IL March 10, 2009
In its report defining alternatives to phthalate plasticizers, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) named dibenzoate plasticizers, commercially know as Benzoflex® Plasticizers, as a replacement for phthalates. The ECHA Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP) technical report says, “The main direct alternative to BBP in vinyl flooring, and other applications, has been dibenzoate plasticisers.”
The report calculated “Derived No Effect Levels (DNEL)” for the BBP alternatives in order to assess their human health effects. The Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate (DGD, or Benzoflex® 9-88) values were considerably more favorable than the other BBP alternative chemistries examined. The dibenzoate plasticizers, available globally by Genovique SpecialtiesTM Corporation, are also discussed as alternative chemistries in the ECHA reports on replacing Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) and Bis (2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP).
“Benzoflex® benzoate esters have been used for over 40 years in traditional phthalate markets establishing them as the proven phthalate alternative,” says John Kenny, vice president, Genovique Specialties. “Our applications-focused research and development team continues to work to develop environmentally-friendly, cost effective solutions for each polymer/application combination. With a global production infrastructure in Europe, Asia and North America, we have the capability to supply the growing market demand for non-phthalate plasticizer technologies.”
The ECHA, located in Helsinki, Finland, manages the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) processes to ensure consistency across the European Union. These REACH processes are designed to provide additional information on chemicals, to ensure their safe use, and to ensure competitiveness of the European industry. In its decision-making, the ECHA takes the best available scientific and technical data and socio-economic information into account.
The ECHA recently commissioned technical reports to define alternatives to phthalate plasticizers on its Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list. Products on the SVHC list may become subject to authorization by decision of the European Chemical Agency. Therefore, companies using authorized materials in the European Union will be required to find a substitute or pay a significant penalty. ECHA has now posted those technical reports on its website, www.echa.europa.eu under consultations, authorization, draft recommendations, prioritization.
Recommendations for specific applications on Benzoflex® Plasticizers can be found at www.genovique.com.
About: Genovique Specialties Corporation
With headquarters in suburban Chicago, Genovique Specialties, owned by Arsenal Capital Partners, manufacturers benzoic acid, sodium benzoate and specialty esters out of facilities in Chestertown, Md., Kohtla-Järve, Estonia and Wuhan, China.
