What Does “Non-Phthalate” Mean?

At Piper Plastics, we offer non-phthalate materials. But what exactly does that mean? Here we break down all you need to know about phthalates, their risks, and why we use non-phthalate plasticizers.

What are phthalates?

Before we get into non-phthalates, we first need to talk about phthalates. Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid. Unless you’re a chemist, though, you probably don’t know what in the world that means. Put in layman terms, phthalates are a family of chemicals that are used as plasticizers, substances added to PVC plastics to make them more flexible and durable. As such, they’re used in a wide variety of plastic substances, from inflatable toys to medical devices.

What are non-phthalates and why are people using them?

Non-phthalates are essentially plasticizers that are free of phthalates. A few examples of non-phthalates include DOTP (diethylehexyl terephthalate, aka DEHT), Hexamoll DINCH (diisononyl cyclohexane dicarboxylate), as well as bio-based plasticizers, such as a line of soy-based plasticizers. While low exposures to phthalates are harmless, there has been recent research suggesting the potentially negative impacts a high exposure of phthalates can have on our health. As such, many consumers are switching non-phthalate plasticizers.

Non-phthalates and Piper Plastics

Due to the increasing consumer awareness concerning phthalates, more and more people are switching to non-phthalate plasticizers. This is why Piper Plastics offers phthalate free alternatives for the materials that we manufacture. And if you still have questions about our phthalate free materials, then feel free to give us a call at 800-966-9919 today to learn more.