Plasticizers - Chemical Economics Handbook (CEH) | S&P Global - IHS Markit
Phthalates accounted for over 55% of world consumption of plasticizers in 2025, down from approximately 60–65% a few years ago; they are forecast to account for 50–55% of world consumption in the coming years. The decrease in market share has largely been due to the following:
Diverging trends of plasticizers (phthalates and non-phthalates)
The broad use of plasticizers in large amounts in consumer and industrial products is associated with their occurrence in both the indoor and ambient environment. The ubiquitous presence of DEHP and other low molecular weight (LMW) phthalates such as BBP, DIBP, DnBP is well-documented [67, 81, 96, 98, 124].
Plasticizers Market Report | Global Forecast From 2025 To 2030
Low Phthalate is a type of plasticizer in which the phthalate group contains only one benzene ring. It has been found to be less toxic than high-phthalate compounds and was introduced as an alternative chemical agent for plastics, such as PVC. High Phthalates:
Plasticizers: Types, Uses, Classification, Selection & Regulation
Most commonly used phthalate plasticizers include: DEHP: Low molecular weight ortho-phthalate. Still the world’s most widely used PVC plasticizer DINP, DIDP: High molecular weight ortho-phthalates Aliphatic dibasic acid Esters – These include chemicals such as glutarates, adipates, azelates and sebacates.
Ortho-phthalates - Plasticisers - Information Center
Phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates tha-lāts) – covering ortho-phthalates – are the most commonly used plasticisers (US: plasticizers) in the world. In Europe, about one million tonnes of ortho-phthalates and terephthalates are produced each year – about 80% of the entire plasticisers market – of which approximately 95% are used to make flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
- Are phthalate & other plasticizers still used?
- Uses of Phthalates and Other Plasticizers Majority no longer available. For phthalate esters, the plasticizer range extends from esters prepared from C4 alcohols to C13 alcohols. However because of high volatility, C4 - C6 phthalate esters are no longer used as PVC plasticizers in most countries
- Are phthalate esters PVC plasticizers?
- For phthalate esters, the plasticizer range extends from esters prepared from C4 alcohols to C13 alcohols. However because of high volatility, C4 - C6 phthalate esters are no longer used as PVC plasticizers in most countries C1 to C3 (i.e. DEP, DMP, DPP) phthalate esters are solvents, not PVC plasticizers.
- Which phthalate is used as a plasticizer for PVC?
- DTDP is the highest weight dialkyl phthalate to be used as a plasticizer. It was widely used as a high temperature plasticizer for PVC until trimellitates came into existence. It needs high processing temperatures for compounding with PVC. Cost: Phthalates are used as PVC plasticizers since the earliest days of flexible PVC.
- What are the benefits and limitations of phthalate plasticizers?
- Key benefits and limitations of phthalate plasticizers include: Di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP) is a low molecular weight ortho-phthalate. It has a chemical formula of C 6 H 4 (C 8 H 17 COO) 2. It is produced by the esterification of phthalic anhydride with 2-ethyl-hexanol.
- Does unplasticized PVC have phthalates?
- Only unplasticized PVC (uPVC), which is mainly used as a hard construction material, has no plasticizers. If a more accurate test is needed, chemical analysis, for example by gas chromatography or liquid chromatography, can establish the presence of phthalates.
- Which phthalates are banned?
- For example: DEHP -the world’s most widely used plasticizer that has been banned. Certain other high-volume phthalates including DINP and DIDP have been fully approved for use in all their current applications.
