Plasticizers fulfill a large number of functions in plastics and rubber chemistry, including and influencing elasticity, viscosity, lightfastness, fire safety and other polymer properties. Although their main application is as a component in formulations, plasticizing substances are often used in the care and cleaning of units and machinery for producing plastic.

Phthalate-free plasticizers have been growing in demand due to legislative initiatives in developed markets such as North America, Western Europe and Japan.  Regulators are calling for consumer products such as toys, food packaging and cables to contain the flexible plastic PVC, which has only been processed by phthalate-free plasticizers.

LANXESS already enjoys a leading position in the phthalate-free plasticizer segment, driven by its current portfolio that includes the flagship product Mesamoll - a 100%-phthalate-free plasticizer based on alkyl sulfonic esters.  LANXESS’s Mesamoll products are used in medical, toy and food packaging applications.

Polymer Additives comprise the product groups softeners, coupling agents, modifying agents and secondary alkane sulfonates. Amongst the wide range of special softeners are monomer and polymer products such as Adimoll® (adipates) and Ultramoll® (polyadipates). Special products for PVC modifiers based on ABS/SAN are combined under the trade name Baymod®.

High-Tech Plastics
The benefits of high-tech plastics are plain for all to see. These light-weight materials offer greater flexibility and open up a whole host of new design options in many industries. They also make a valuable contribution to protecting the climate and the environment.