Green Chemistry and the Search for New Plasticizers

Abstract

Consumers often see various "free-of" statements on labels that imply that the product is safer and more sustainable than others without such a label. The problem with these types of labels is that they say nothing about the ingredients a product is made with. Hazard assessment tools such as GreenScreen provide a way to determine whether potential product ingredients have sufficient data and low hazard to support their long-term use. Third party certifications and "positive" lists such as EPA SaferChoice and CleanGredients also may be useful in selecting the right materials. Use of these types of tools and methodologies allow formulators and processors, as well as retailers and consumer product makers, to make informed and responsible substitution decisions and to reduce the risk of future regulatory or customer restrictions. Examples of the use of GreenScreen and CleanGredients to evaluate plasticizers that are alternatives to widely used ortho-phthalates are presented. Some alternative plasticizers have sufficient data and low hazard to support their use in consumer and other products. Others might be accurately labeled as "phthalate-free" and might be safe for their intended uses, but insufficient data are available to support their use as alternatives to data-rich ortho-phthalates. Products such as DOTP and D9CH can be shown to be both wellstudied and free of relevant hazard concerns.

In vivo and Post-synthesis Strategies to Enhance the Properties of PHB-Based Materials: A Review

“…In this sense, PLA-PHB plasticization has been proven to be an effective way to enhance mechanical performance as well as to improve the compatibility between PLA and PHB biopolymers. Nowadays, the traditional plasticizers give way to natural ones due to the migration phenomenon, which could result in potential human health and environmental hazards (Harmon and Otter, 2018 ). Several plasticizers have been used mainly at concentrations between 10 and 30 wt% for film applications, such as glycerol (Martin and Avérous, 2001 ), poly(adipates) (Martino et al, 2011 ), PEG (Wang et al, 2008 ), citrate esters (Fenollar et al, 2013 ), and low-molecular-weight additives such as aroma compounds including D-limonene, carvacrol, and thymol (Arrieta et al, 2014 ).…”

Cynara cardunculus Biomass Recovery: An Eco-Sustainable, Nonedible Resource of Vegetable Oil for the Production of Poly(lactic acid) Bioplasticizers

“…In particular, some of the most common petroleum-based plasticizers, applied in polymeric formulations to enhance their final properties, such as phthalate, are nowadays debated because of the toxicity issues arising from their aptitude to migration. Thus, the scientific and industrial communities increasingly address the use of more eco-sustainable alternatives in applications that are particularly sensitive to the problem, such as in packaging materials. − To this aim, carboxylic acid esters with linear or branched alcohols of medium chain lengths (C6–C11), such as adipates, benzoates, or alkane-dicarboxylic, represent interesting nontoxic petro-based substitutes widely used in petroleum-based and also biobased polymers, as reported by Bocquè, et al In addition, the large demand for new “green” plasticizers shifted the focus on natural-based resources, such as vegetable oils, extracted from oleaginous plants and trees. Vegetable oils are eco-sustainable, biodegradable, nontoxic plasticizers that come from easily renewable sources.…”

Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of a Structural Battery

“…The CRA has been inspired by different assessment methods and tools in the open literature [31][32][33][34] and herein adapted to a life cycle perspective. Chemicals and process materials have been evaluated for hazards in the different life cycle phases.…”