Thus, some companies and sectors have looked for alternatives
to certain phthalates, either voluntarily or compulsorily. There are
many alternatives, but many others have appeared, such as plasticizers
of vegetable origin. These plasticizers also have a strong
environmental appeal, since they are made from renewable resources.
Numerous are the examples of raw materials used, such as
corn, soybean, sunflower, palm, castor bean and flaxseed, among
others. Usually the processes of transesterification, alkylation and
epoxidation are used to manufacture these potential PVC plasticizers.
The results have been quite promising and some markets are
already trying and using these plasticizers.
Therefore, the possibility of new PVC plasticizers is very
important as well as evaluating performance and conformance of
these packaging materials as to the legislation in force. DEHA
(di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate), ESBO (epoxidized soybean oil), ATBC
(acetylated tributyl citrate) and polymeric plasticizers are used
in plastic packages for food (the last two plasticizers are used
mainly in Europe due to their high cost) and are not hard to find
them in packages available in the market. Beside these plasticizers,
new plasticizers from renewable sources are being evaluated
as plasticizers for PVC cling films intended to come
into contact with foodstuffs