Eastman Launch "Sensitive" Grade of Eastman 168 Phthalate-Free Plasticiser

US headquartered Eastman Chemical Company today announced it will expand its non-phthalate plasticiser portfolio with the addition of Eastman 168 SG (sensitive grade) non-phthalate plasticiser. Eastman 168 SG non-phthalate plasticiser is an enhanced grade of the industry-leading Eastman 168 non-phthalate plasticiser. This new plasticiser is specifically targeted for highly sensitive applications such as medical devices, toys, childcare articles and food-contact products.

For medical device original equipment manufacturers, Eastman says that Eastman 168 SG offers the best combination of price and efficiency in the market. The company goes on to say that the plasticiser can be used as an alternative to di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and it offers easy replacement for DEHP and tris (2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM) and is said to be more efficient than using some of the other non-phthalate plasticisers available. Eastman 168 SG has clean toxicological and regulatory profiles while remaining cost-efficient.

“We are excited to bring to market the next evolution in non-phthalate plasticisers,” said Jon Woods, plasticisers business director, Eastman Chemical Company. “For the most sensitive applications, formulators need assurance of the high purity that Eastman 168 SG offers.”

Eastman 168 SG offers assurance of supply continuity and the most stringent quality assurance protocols. It has high product purity and customers also gain access to proprietary ISO 10993 and USP Class VI test data.

As well as easy to use, the plasticiser is said to have outstanding performance properties, low-temperature flexibility, extensive toxicological profile and excellent non-migration properties.

Eastman is an expert in the supply of non-phthalate plasticisers. Its versatile portfolio is said to represent the broadest range of non-phthalate plasticisers in the industry. As North America’s largest producer of non-phthalate general-purpose and specialty plasticisers, the company brings decades of experience and comprehensive technical support to help customers make switching to Eastman 168 SG simple.

Eastman 168 is a trademark of Eastman Chemical Company.

Another brand of non-phthalate plasticiser is BASF’s Hexamol DINCH.

For more information about DEHP and phthalate-free plasticisers in medical devices see the following report in Medical Plastics News, September-October 2012, issue 8, pages 6-11.