An innovative plasticizer for flexible PVC food contact applications

Abstract When flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used in food contact applications, there is potential for plasticizer migration. Concern over this migration has led to the development of a novel plasticizer. Eastman EPZ plasticizer is a distilled acetylated monoglyceride (DACM). EPZ is a fraction from the molecular distillation of the reaction mixture prepared by the interesterfication of fully hydrogenated coconut oil and glyceryl triacetate. It is lawful for both direct and indirect food contact according to U.S. Food & Drug Administration regulation 29 CFR 172.828. The performance of EPZ plasticizer compared with adipate and citrate plasticizers confirms its usefulness in flexible PVC. This performance, combined with its clearance as a direct and indirect food additive, offers vinyl formulators a new tool to expand the flexible vinyl market.