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Additives | Masterbatches Bio-based plasticizers for PVC Dow Wire & Cable, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, recently signaled a groundbreaking advance in sustainable chemistry by launching DOW ECOLIBRIUM Bio-Based Plasticizers, a new family of phthalate-free plasticizers for use in PVC compounds for wire insulation and jacketing that are made from nearly 100% renewable feedstocks. The use of these new bio-based plasticizers can help cable-makers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% (based on LCA tests conducted by Dow and third-party reviewed) if used instead of traditional PVC plasticizers. The new plasticizers were developed to meet growing demand for more sustainable options in wiring applications such as personal electronics and appliance wiring, residential and commercial building wiring, communications and data cabling, and automotive wiring. “(These) bio-based plasticizers are truly a breakthrough for the wire and cable industry but their introduction here is just the tip of the iceberg - in time they will also open up differentiation opportunities for OEMs in other industries that use PVC compounds,“ said Jonathan Penrice, global marketing director for Dow Wire & Cable. DOW ECOLIBRIUM bio-based plasticizers offer specific benefits in terms of processing, electrical and temperature performance, and end-use for low and high temperature wiring applications in several key wire and cable market segments: • Personal Electronics and Appliances – Wires jacketed with material that includes Dow Ecolibrium can achieve an outstanding balance of flame retardance, flexibility and heat performance. • Building & Construction – the new bio-based plasticizers are phthalate-and lead-free, offering safe building wire options. By virtue of being bio-based, their production can also provide opportunities for cable-makers and building industry end-users to achieve carbon credits and, in the USA, certification by the U.S. Green Building Council‘s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating Systems. The new products are also effective in data communications delivery applications. • Automotive – Wires used for the transmission of power and data inside passenger and commercial vehicles that are jacketed with material that includes Dow Ecolibrium Bio-based Plasticizers can provide an environmentally-friendly solution that exhibits requirements for heat resistance and ease of installation. The introduction of Dow‘s new bio-based plasticizers provides another example of the company‘s commitment to deliver sustainable chemistry as part of its 2015 Sustainability Goals. Sustainable chemistry is a ‘cradle-to-cradle‘ concept that drives Dow to adopt a lifecycle view of its products, processes and product uses in order to provide value and solutions for its customers while enhancing the quality of life for current and future generations. www.dowwireandcable.com 12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/10] Vol. 5
Additives | Masterbatches Plasticizer Made from Natural Products The France-based company Roquette, one of Europe’s largest and one of the world’s most advanced starch and starch-derivatives businesses too offers a phtalate free bio-based plasticizer for PVC. POLYSORB ® ID 37 is a composition of isosorbide diesters produced from fatty acids of vegetable origin and isosorbide obtained by simple modification (dehydration) of a derivative of glucose, sorbitol. POLYSORB ® ID 37 is totally produced from renewable natural products. It is non-toxic and biodegradable. It constitutes, thanks to its plasticizing properties equivalent to the products on the market, an alternative to the phthalates conventionally used as plasticizers for flexible PVC. In relation to the other phthalate-free plasticizers (adipates, acetylated monoglycerides, citrates) POLYSORB ® ID 37 is particularly versatile and has both excellent compatibility with PVC and a very low volatility. After having invested in 2008 in a demonstration unit with a capacity of over 100T per annum,Roquette will be capable of supplying several hundreds of tons of Polysorb ® ID 37 by end of 2010 once Reach agreement will be accepted. This investment followed an earlier one to build an industrial isosorbide unit with a capacity of over 1000 t per annum and confirms Roquette ’s strategy of promoting sustainable development. The development of Polysorb ID 37 is part of the BioHub ® programme relating to Vegetal-based chemistry backed by OSEO Innovation. www.roquette.com www.biohub.fr bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/10] Vol. 5 13
