04 | 2010

Additives | Masterbatches
Bio-based
plasticizers for PVC
Dow Wire & Cable, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, recently signaled a groundbreaking advance in
sustainable chemistry by launching DOW ECOLIBRIUM Bio-Based Plasticizers, a new family of phthalate-free
plasticizers for use in PVC compounds for wire insulation and jacketing that are made from nearly 100% renewable
feedstocks. The use of these new bio-based plasticizers can help cable-makers and original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs) reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% (based on LCA tests conducted by Dow and third-party
reviewed) if used instead of traditional PVC plasticizers. The new plasticizers were developed to meet growing demand
for more sustainable options in wiring applications such as personal electronics and appliance wiring, residential and
commercial building wiring, communications and data cabling, and automotive wiring.
“(These) bio-based plasticizers are truly a breakthrough for the wire and cable industry but their introduction here is
just the tip of the iceberg - in time they will also open up differentiation opportunities for OEMs in other industries that
use PVC compounds,“ said Jonathan Penrice, global marketing director for Dow Wire & Cable.
DOW ECOLIBRIUM bio-based plasticizers offer specific benefits in terms of processing, electrical and temperature
performance, and end-use for low and high temperature wiring applications in several key wire and cable market
segments:
• Personal Electronics and Appliances – Wires jacketed with material that includes Dow Ecolibrium can achieve an
outstanding balance of flame retardance, flexibility and heat performance.
• Building & Construction – the new bio-based plasticizers are phthalate-and lead-free, offering safe building wire
options. By virtue of being bio-based, their production can also provide opportunities for cable-makers and building
industry end-users to achieve carbon credits and, in the USA, certification by the U.S. Green Building Council‘s
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating Systems. The new products are also effective in data
communications delivery applications.
• Automotive – Wires used for the transmission of power and data inside passenger and commercial vehicles that are
jacketed with material that includes Dow Ecolibrium Bio-based Plasticizers can provide an environmentally-friendly
solution that exhibits requirements for heat resistance and ease of installation.
The introduction of Dow‘s new bio-based plasticizers provides another example of the company‘s commitment to deliver
sustainable chemistry as part of its 2015 Sustainability Goals. Sustainable chemistry is a ‘cradle-to-cradle‘ concept that
drives Dow to adopt a lifecycle view of its products, processes and product uses in order to provide value and solutions for
its customers while enhancing the quality of life for current and future generations.
www.dowwireandcable.com
12 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/10] Vol. 5