Why consider replacing DOP/DEHP?
Orthophthalates such as DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP are subject to significant restrictions in major markets. In toys and childcare articles, the EU restricts several phthalates, while DINP, DIDP and DNOP are also restricted in articles that can be placed in a child’s mouth.
For medical devices, food-contact packaging and other close-contact products, manufacturers also need to assess migration, toxicology, sector-specific standards and target-market regulations. Moving to a non-phthalate plasticizer can therefore be part of a broader compliance and formulation-risk strategy.
What is Hexamoll® DINCH?
Hexamoll® DINCH is BASF’s registered name for 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, di-isononyl ester. BASF describes it as a versatile non-phthalate plasticizer for PVC and other polar polymers, particularly for applications involving human contact.
Unlike orthophthalates, DINCH is based on a cyclohexane structure. BASF specifies a maximum phthalate content of 0.01%.
Main applications
Toys and childcare products
BASF recommends DINCH for sensitive applications such as toys and childcare products. Final articles must still be tested against the applicable toy-safety and migration requirements of the destination market.
Medical applications
DINCH is positioned for flexible-PVC medical applications where manufacturers seek to reduce dependence on DEHP. Final medical-device suitability depends on the grade, formulation, processing route, extractables/migration testing and regulatory dossier for the finished device.
Food-contact packaging and materials
DINCH is identified as FCM substance No. 775 in relevant EU positive lists for polymer-contact applications. Actual use remains subject to applicable conditions and migration requirements; inclusion on a positive list should not be interpreted as automatic approval for every finished article.
Other consumer applications
Vinyl flooring, wall coverings, films and flexible-PVC compounds are other areas where DINCH may be considered when a non-phthalate plasticizer and good performance stability are required.
Reference technical data
| Property | BASF published value |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | 1,2-Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, di-isononyl ester |
| CAS No. | 166412-78-8 (outside USA); 474919-59-0 (USA) |
| Molecular formula | C26H48O4 |
| Molecular weight | 424.7 |
| Appearance | Clear oily liquid, substantially free of foreign material |
| Density at 25°C | Approx. 0.945 g/cm³ |
| Dynamic viscosity at 20°C | Approx. 52 cP (≈ 52 mPa·s) |
| Ester content | ≥ 99.5 wt% |
| Phthalate content | ≤ 0.01% |
Values above are based on BASF technical information. Current TDS and batch CoA should be used for material approval.
Replacing DOP/DEHP in a formulation
BASF states that Hexamoll® DINCH can be used in PVC and other polar polymers and that, in many cases, only minor formulation or processing adjustments are required compared with common PVC plasticizers. This makes DINCH a practical candidate when moving away from DOP/DEHP while retaining a flexible-PVC platform.
A universal 1:1 replacement should not be assumed, however. Hardness, plastisol viscosity, low-temperature flexibility, compatibility, gel/fusion behavior and migration performance should all be validated in the finished formulation.
Compliance considerations
- Toys: the EU tightly controls several phthalates in toys and childcare articles; DINCH provides a non-phthalate route for formulation redesign.
- Food contact: conditions of use and current migration limits for the destination market must be checked.
- Medical devices: suitability must be established at finished-device and regulatory-dossier level, not from plasticizer identity alone.
- Documentation: current TDS, SDS, CoA and manufacturer compliance declarations should be reviewed before commercial production.
Why GKTECH?
GKTECH focuses on technical materials that help manufacturers respond to changing formulation and compliance requirements. For Hexamoll® DINCH, we can discuss DOP/DEHP conversion targets, provide manufacturer technical documentation and coordinate sample evaluation where appropriate.
- Discuss formulation and DOP/DEHP replacement targets.
- Support with manufacturer TDS/SDS and technical data.
- Coordinate sample evaluation and application trials where appropriate.
Technical references
- BASF — Hexamoll® DINCH Technical Information (May 2023)
- ECHA — Phthalates: restrictions and toy safety
Gia Khang Technology Co., Ltd.
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