Plasticizers Derived from Vegetable Oils

Compositions and methods for plasticizing polyvinyl chloride polymers where the plasticizers contain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils and the fatty acids are substantially esterified with an alcohol. The fatty acids having unsaturated bonds that are substantially fully epoxidized, and wherein the fatty acids are added substantially randomly to one or more hydroxyl sites on the alcohol.

• Battelle plasticizers are priced similar to commonly used petroleum-based plasticizers such as dioctyl phthalate (DOP), and the price advantage is expected to increase with time as the price of petroleum continues to increase.
• Battelle plasticizers are believed not to have any health issues whereas phthalate-based plasticizers are reputed to be endocrine disruptors.
• Battelle plasticizers have appreciably better exudation than and similar low temperature properties to phthalate plasticizers
• A preferred class of Battelle plasticizers imparts thermal stability to PVC, which is an advantageous property not provided by phthalate plasticizers.

• Flexible PVC applications such as tubing, hose, films, sheeting, cable covering, various molded parts, toys