Summary and conclusions, Miljøstyrelsen

Reduktion af anvendelse af phthalater i textil- og beklædningsindustrien

Summary and conclusions

The basis for the project was the increasing focus on the use of phthalates as plasticisers for PVC due to the possible harmful effect on health and environment from this group of substances. Substitution of PVC and phthalates is highly prioritised in the programme for Cleaner Products etc. from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

Within the textile and clothing industry PVC (with phthalates as plasticisers) is used in connection with PVC coated textile fabrics such as tents, tarpaulins, rainwear and workwear.

Therefore, the objective of the project has been to survey the possibility for refraining from the use of phthalates as plasticisers in tents and tarpaulins, either by substituting phtalates in PVC by other plasticisers, or by using another kind of plastic material than PVC.

A series of possible substitutes for phthalates and PVC have been examined and evaluated in relation to the exact usage.

Three promising plasticisers (Phosflex 31-L (phosphate), Benzoflex 2088 (benzoate) and Mesamoll (sulphonate)) have been tried in full-scale production. The manufactured products have been assessed visually, and a number of tests on their mechanical performance has been conducted.

It can be concluded

that the 3 plasticisers all could be used as substitutes for the normal phtalate plasticiser

that one of the products (Mesamoll) was fully up to the standard of the normal phtalate plasticiser

that the price of Mesamoll is double the price of the normal phtalate plasticiser, but it was after all the cheapest of the alternative plasticisers.

The project has thus revealed a technically fully usable phthalate free plasticiser. Time will show whether the price difference makes the use prohibitive.