Project Placard – new non-phthalate PVC plasticizer based on cardanol

At the beginning of July 2015 at the European Plastics Converters (EuPC) presents the results of research conducted within the project Placard, which aims at obtaining a new plasticizer used SPVC for construction industry. The plasticizers is designed as a chemical modification of cardanol, industrial grade yellow oil obtained by vacuum distillation of cashew nut shell liquid. Cardanol helps to increase flexibility, good drying by heating, good electrical insulation properties and thermal stability. The advantage of using the by-product is that it does not cause interference in the food chain.

Plasticizer production test was carried out in factories Serichim (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy), while tests comparing the characteristics of different plasticizers, both phthalate and non-phthalate were conducted by the Università di Salento. Studies have shown that the plasticizer Placard possesses higher plasticization efficiency compared to DEHP, which translates into savings of raw materials. Non-phthalate plasticizer was also characterized by improved processability properties, less toxicity. Other properties (mechanical, rheological) compared plasticizers were similar. In the future they will be tested with other material properties such as impact on the recycling process. These parameters will be presented and submitted to discussion at the next conference organized by EuPC and the Italian company Kommi, the leader of the project.

The Placard project is financed by Eco-innovation initiative and is expected to last 32 months. The Eco-innovation initiative is part of the EU’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP), set up to support innovation among SMEs and to improve their competitiveness

Grupa Azoty ZAK S.A. also conducts research on new bio-based non-phthalate plasticizers. At the moment the results are very promising especially in specialty applications as food and special films.