Jul 4 2008
The BASF product Hexamoll® DINCH has the highest eco-efficiency in a comparison of the top five non-phthalate plasticizers on the market today. So say the results of a BASF eco-efficiency analysis, verified by the impartial German organization TÜV Rheinland. Plasticizers are added to PVC (polyvinylchloride) to make this naturally hard, brittle material soft and elastic. BASF analyzed the eco-efficiency of non-phthalate plasticizers for three everyday product groups: children's balls, tubes for medical devices, and garden hoses. The eco-efficiency analysis assesses the ecological properties of a product over its complete life cycle from manufacture to disposal, incorporating the costs of production and use.
"Hexamoll DINCH is by far the best researched plasticizer on the market. The eco-efficiency analysis shows that the product has the lowest environmental impact throughout its life cycle, so we are helping our customers to achieve sustainable development," says Dr. Albert Heuser, President Petrochemicals Division. In a bid to meet rising demand, BASF increased annual Hexamoll DINCH production capacity at the Ludwigshafen site last year from 25,000 to 100,000 metric tons.
The competitor products investigated in the eco-efficiency analysis alongside Hexamoll DINCH were the commercially available non-phthalate plasticizers diethylhexylterephthalate (DEHTP), alkylsulphonic phenyl ester (ASE), acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC) and acetylated castor oil derivative. Non-phthalate plasticizers were developed for sensitive areas such as medical devices, toys and food packaging. Results for Hexamoll DINCH were above average in all categories, especially so in terms of toxicity and risk potential, energy use and emissions. Other eco-efficiency criteria included material use and area required for production. The eco-efficiency analysis method has been validated by the TÜV Rheinland Berlin Brandenburg (ID 5711150561).