Eastman plasticizer finds increasing use in toys

18 May 2006

Eastman 168 plasticizer from Eastman Chemical Company is being used as trouble-free drop-in replacement by toy manufacturers moving to non-ortho-phthalate plasticizers. The company says that Eastman 168 has a very clean toxicological profile and is a low risk choice for toy companies and their suppliers looking for an alternative plasticizer for use in mouthable toys for children under the age of three.

The company says that with Eastman 168 plasticizer, it provides the toy industry with a solution to its search for the best non-ortho phthalate plasticizer. It adds that extensive toxicological and application testing has shown that Eastman 168 is the material of choice for toymakers looking for performance, processability and compliance with the new European regulations.

According to the company, unlike other alternative plasticizers, reformulation is unnecessary with Eastman 168 plasticizer, reducing the risk of formulation errors that could result in costly recalls or consumer complaints. Eastman 168 is claimed to be an excellent general purpose plasticizer, offering good performance properties and resistance to extraction by soapy water. The company adds that due to its outstanding low temperature flexibility, toys made with Eastman 168 plasticizer are less likely to crack or break due to cold weather if left outside after playtime. Eastman 168 plasticizer has excellent non-migration properties against both typical nitrocellulose wood coatings and adjacent ABS parts.