Compounding — Process Challenge

Flexible PVC Plasticizers (Durometer / Phthalate-Free)

Flexible-PVC and rubber compounders dose plasticizer esters by the tote and isotank to solvate the resin and hit a target durometer and low-temperature flexibility. Many are actively migrating off ortho-phthalates (DEHP/DBP) to non-phthalate DOTP and bio-based ESBO/citrates to meet REACH, CPSIA and food-contact requirements
Updated Jun 2026
Solution Approach

RawSource supplies the base chemicals that go into these programs. We can help with product selection, grade matching, and sourcing from multiple origins for supply security.

Typical Formulation Workflow
1
Polymer & Process Definition
Identify the resin and process (extrusion, molding, film) and the targets — thermal stability, clarity, flame retardance, slip, or color.
2
Additive Selection
Match stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, lubricants, flame retardants, or masterbatch carriers to the polymer and processing temperatures.
3
Compounding Trial
Confirm loading and dispersion on a compounding or molding trial, checking processability, mechanicals, and aesthetics against the control.
4
Validation & Scale-Up
Verify long-term performance (heat aging, migration, weathering) and lock the formulation, packaging, and lot specs for production.
Recommended Chemistries (6)
Dioctyl Terephthalate (DOTP)
CAS 6422-86-2
Specialty Additives
Plasticizing
Non-ortho-phthalate terephthalate diester; solvates PVC chains to lower Tg and durometer and serves as the leading regulatory-safe drop-in replacement for DEHP
Physical Description: NKRA; Pellets or Large Crystals; Liquid   Boiling Point: 383 °C   Melting Point: -48 °C
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Diisononyl Phthalate (DINP)
CAS 28553-12-0
Specialty Additives
Lubrication
High-molecular-weight branched-C9 ortho-phthalate; low volatility gives good permanence at the high loadings used for soft flexible PVC
Physical Description: Di-isononyl phthalate is an oily colorless liqu…   Appearance: Colorless liquid   Boiling Point: 78 °C at 760 mmHg
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Epoxidized Soybean (ESBO)
CAS 8013-07-8
Specialty Additives
Emolliency
Bio-based secondary plasticizer and co-stabilizer; the epoxide rings scavenge HCl liberated during PVC processing while adding flexibility
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Triethyl Citrate
CAS 77-93-0
Specialty Additives
Plasticizing
Citrate-ester non-phthalate plasticizer used where regulatory-sensitive, food-contact-grade flexibility is required
Physical Description: practically colourless, oily liquid; bitter tas…   Appearance: Colorless, mobile liquid   Odor: Fruity odor
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Acetyl Tributyl Citrate (ATBC)
CAS 77-90-7
Non-phthalate citrate ester with higher permanence than triethyl citrate; the standard choice for toy and food-contact flexible PVC (source on demand)
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Dioctyl Adipate (DOA)
CAS 103-23-1
Adipate ester with a low glass-transition contribution, delivering cold-flex low-temperature flexibility for films and tubing (source on demand)
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