The difference between DEHP, DOP and DINP_Kain Industrial Additives

The difference between DEHP, DOP and DINP

Dioctyl Phthalate, referred to as DOP, is an organic ester compound and a commonly used plasticizer. Dioctyl phthalate is an important general-purpose plasticizer. It is mainly used in the processing of polyvinyl chloride resin. It can also be used in the processing of chemical fiber resin, acetate resin, ABS resin and rubber and other polymers. It can also be used in manufacturing. Paints, dyes, dispersants, etc.

Recently, news about the illegal addition of “plasticizers” (plasticizers) and “clouding agents” (emulsifiers) containing toxic chemicals to beverages in Taiwan often involve DEHP, DOP, and DINP The English abbreviations of these three chemicals, what exactly are these compounds, and what are the differences between them?

Understanding of DEHP and DOP

The following is a brief introduction: In fact, DEHP and DOP are both dioctyl phthalate, which are just abbreviations of common English chemical names in different regions. In Europe, the English name of dioctyl phthalate is Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, or DiEthyl Hexyl Phthalate, and its abbreviation is DEHP; while in other countries its English chemical name is also called DiOctyl Phthalate, which is the abbreviation for DOP. So, this is just a chemical name, and it is wrong to treat them as two compounds in current news reports.

Understanding of DINP

This is also an industrial “plasticizer” (plasticizer), called diisononyl phthalate, English: Diisononyl phthalate, DINP is the abbreviation of its English chemical name. Its chemical formula is: C6H4[COO(CH2)6CH(CH3)2]2. Diisononyl phthalate, referred to as DINP, is a transparent oily liquid with a slight odor. This product is a general-purpose main plasticizer with excellent performance.

Comparison between DINP and DOP (DEHP)

1. DINP has good compatibility with PVC and will not precipitate even if used in large quantities; its volatility, migration and non-toxicity are better than DOP, and it can give the product good light resistance, heat resistance, aging resistance and electrical insulation properties. The overall performance is better than DOP.

2. Because the products produced by DINP have good water resistance, extraction resistance, low toxicity, aging resistance, and excellent electrical insulation properties, they are widely used in toy films, wires, and cables.

3. DEHP is slightly cheaper than DINP.

4. DINP has lower acute toxicity to animals than DEHP and is not currently listed as a toxic substance by the my country Environmental Protection Agency. The European Union lists DINP as an environmental hormone, while the United States and Japan do not list DINP as an environmental hormone. Compared with DEHP, DINP has almost no effect on the reproduction or development of experimental animals.

In summary, DINP is relatively safer than DEHP (DOP), but it is only an industrial plasticizer and does not fall into the category of safe food additives. Both compounds are oily and insoluble in water; therefore, they are used by unscrupulous manufacturers in Taiwan as substitutes for palm oil and sunflower oil.