Benzyl butyl phthalate
Encyclopedia
Benzylbutylphthalate also called n-butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) or benzyl butyl phthalate, is a phthalate, an ester
of phthalic acid
, benzyl alcohol
and n-butanol
. It comes under trade names e.g. Palatinol BB, Unimoll BB, Sicol 160, or Santicizer 160. It is mostly used as a plasticizer
for PVC
. It is considered a toxicant
.
BBzP is commonly used as a plasticizer for vinyl
foam
s, which are often used as floor tiles. Other uses are in traffic cone
s, food conveyor belt
s, and artificial leather
.
BBP is classified as toxic by the European Chemical Bureau (ECB) and hence its use has declined rapidly in the last decade. There are only two producers remaining in the EU.
Canadian Authorities have restricted the usage of phthalates including BBP.
In 2008 four sellers of BBP were sanctioned by the Belgian Competition Council for participating in a cartel.
http://economie.fgov.be/organization_market/competition/press_releases/press_release_04042008_en.pdf
Ester
Esters are chemical compounds derived by reacting an oxoacid with a hydroxyl compound such as an alcohol or phenol. Esters are usually derived from an inorganic acid or organic acid in which at least one -OH group is replaced by an -O-alkyl group, and most commonly from carboxylic acids and...
of phthalic acid
Phthalic acid
Phthalic acid is an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, with formula C6H42. It is an isomer of isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid. Although phthalic acid is of modest commercial importance, the closely related derivative phthalic anhydride is a commodity chemical produced on a large...
, benzyl alcohol
Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2OH. The benzyl group is often abbreviated "Bn", thus benzyl alcohol is denoted as BnOH. Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor. It is a useful solvent due to its polarity, low toxicity, and low vapor...
and n-butanol
N-Butanol
n-Butanol or n-butyl alcohol or normal butanol is a primary alcohol with a 4-carbon structure and the molecular formula C4H9OH. Its isomers include isobutanol, 2-butanol, and tert-butanol...
. It comes under trade names e.g. Palatinol BB, Unimoll BB, Sicol 160, or Santicizer 160. It is mostly used as a plasticizer
Plasticizer
Plasticizers or dispersants are additives that increase the plasticity or fluidity of the material to which they are added; these include plastics, cement, concrete, wallboard, and clay. Although the same compounds are often used for both plastics and concretes the desired effects and results are...
for PVC
Polyvinyl chloride
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC, is a thermoplastic polymer. It is a vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups having one hydrogen replaced by chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is widely used in...
. It is considered a toxicant
Toxicant
A toxicant is a chemical compound that has an effect on organisms.A distinction can be drawn between "toxic" and toxin, with the latter being a subcategory of the former....
.
BBzP is commonly used as a plasticizer for vinyl
Polyvinyl chloride
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC, is a thermoplastic polymer. It is a vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups having one hydrogen replaced by chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is widely used in...
foam
Foam
-Definition:A foam is a substance that is formed by trapping gas in a liquid or solid in a divided form, i.e. by forming gas regions inside liquid regions, leading to different kinds of dispersed media...
s, which are often used as floor tiles. Other uses are in traffic cone
Traffic cone
Traffic cones, also called traffic pylons, road cones, highway cones, safety cones, construction cones or witches' hats or safety wizards, are usually cone-shaped markers that are placed on roads or footpaths to temporarily redirect traffic in a safe manner...
s, food conveyor belt
Conveyor belt
A conveyor belt consists of two or more pulleys, with a continuous loop of material - the conveyor belt - that rotates about them. One or both of the pulleys are powered, moving the belt and the material on the belt forward. The powered pulley is called the drive pulley while the unpowered pulley...
s, and artificial leather
Artificial leather
Artificial leather is a fabric or finish intended to substitute for leather in fields such as upholstery, clothing and fabrics, and other uses where a leather-like finish is required but the actual material is cost-prohibitive or unsuitable....
.
BBP is classified as toxic by the European Chemical Bureau (ECB) and hence its use has declined rapidly in the last decade. There are only two producers remaining in the EU.
Canadian Authorities have restricted the usage of phthalates including BBP.
In 2008 four sellers of BBP were sanctioned by the Belgian Competition Council for participating in a cartel.
http://economie.fgov.be/organization_market/competition/press_releases/press_release_04042008_en.pdf