Scale-up of a Green Plasticizer

Plasticizers are used to increase the flexibility and workability of relatively rigid polymers such as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). For decades, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP and sometimes termed as dioctyl phthalate (DOP)) was the most common plasticizer used in PVC formulations. However, DEHP has been shown to have negative health effects, such as being an endocrine disruptor. Recently, DEHP has been banned for use in children’s toys and phthalate alternatives are rapidly being offered. We have been developing succinate-based esters that biodegrade to non-toxic metabolites after being discarded while also performing as well or better than DEHP in blend formulations. The previous internship established a promising formulation based on diheptyl succinate (DHPS) with sustainable building blocks and a streamlined process that obeys almost all the 12 principles of green chemistry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Milan Maric

Student:

Roya Jamarani

Partner:

CG Towers

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Program: