Is There Such a Thing as PVC-Free Plastisol?

Manufacturer: Some of our products are made from PVC plastisol including household gloves. Our customers are now requesting us to switch to non-PVC plastisol. Is there such a thing and what are the main concerns over PVC?

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): We have all heard about many markets moving away from all things made from PVC for the following reasons:

1) Generation of chlorine during processing and aging sometimes in the form of HCl which not only corrodes the equipment but is also a health hazard. (The Japanese car companies like Toyota, Nissan and Honda have eliminated PVC in their car interiors since 2007)

2) Carcinogenicity of residual monomer i.e. vinyl chloride.

3) Emission of Dioxins when PVC is burnt or incinerated. Dioxins which are a group of polyhalogenated compounds are considered as toxic environmental pollutants that are health hazards.

4) There is of course the issue with phthalate plasticizers but this is a different problem which I've dealt with earlier in this "Forum".

But is there a possibility of making plastisols without using PVC? The answer is “Yes”. PVC could in fact be replaced with a “core-shell” structured acrylics resin (also in powder form). The price of this acrylic powder could be more expensive but  it can be gelled in shorter time and at lower temperatures than PVC (i.e. less than 120C vs 140C) meaning it would save energy cost for the users.

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The list of potential suppliers have been sent to you separately.