Non-phthalate plasticizers: Citriflex 84 (ATBC)
Acetyl tributyl citrate, a non-phthalate, bio-based, food-contact-capable plasticizer for cellulosics, PVC, inks, and adhesives, from North American stock.
Acetyl tributyl citrate, a non-phthalate, bio-based, food-contact-capable plasticizer for cellulosics, PVC, inks, and adhesives, from North American stock.
A phthalate replacement has to hold the flexibility, low-temperature behavior, and processing the part was built around, and it has to clear the documentation for food contact, medical, or children's-product use. Citriflex 84 covers both.
Citriflex 84 is acetyl tributyl citrate, ATBC, CAS 77-90-7. It is a citrate ester plasticizer made from citric acid, a tricarboxylic acid produced by fermentation, esterified with butanol and then acetylated. That feedstock gives it a measurable bio-based carbon content by ASTM D6866 and keeps it off the phthalate list.
It is a low-volatility plasticizer with strong polymer compatibility. Low volatility shows up as better heat aging and less weight loss in service than comparably performing phthalate plasticizers.
Citriflex 84 is the citrate answer to a phthalate replacement. Where the resin is too polar for a citrate, the ProFlex sulfonamides are the other non-phthalate route we stock, so both are listed here.
| Product | Chemistry | CAS | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citriflex 84 | Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) | 77-90-7 | The citrate route. PVC, cellulosics and nitrocellulose, with FDA clearance and an EU 10/2011 listing. |
| ProFlex 8 | N-ethyl o/p-toluenesulfonamide | 8047-99-2 | The sulfonamide route, for polar resins a citrate is not compatible with. Also non-phthalate. |
| ProFlex 4 | N-butyl benzenesulfonamide | 3622-84-2 | The sulfonamide route for polyacetal, polycarbonate, polysulfone and nylon. Also non-phthalate. |
Plasticizes cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose lacquers and films, with low volatility, resistance to yellowing, and good adhesion to metal. A long-standing choice in nitrocellulose food-packaging inks.
The established non-phthalate plasticizer for PVC that needs food-contact, medical, or children's-product compliance, including cling and lidding film, blood bags, and IV tubing where DEHP restrictions apply.
A non-phthalate plasticizer in acrylic systems and adhesives.
A plasticizer and emollient in nail polish, tablet coatings, and topical formulations.
A flexible PVC floor that also has to control static takes an antistatic plasticizer alongside the primary plasticizer. PATstat 313, made by P.A.T. Products, carries a cationic antistat in a plasticizer at 43 percent active and is dosed at room temperature into the compound or plastisol; see antistatic plasticizers for PVC flooring.
DEHP, DBP, and BBP are restricted under EU REACH, California Prop 65, and CPSC children's-product rules, and the regulated phthalate list keeps growing. ATBC is non-phthalate and food-contact capable, which is why it carries into the applications phthalates are leaving. We provide food-contact and bio-based documentation on request. Tell us the standard you have to meet and we will pull what speaks to it.
We stock Citriflex 84 in North American warehouses and ship across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Samples typically go out the same business day, and we arrange direct container shipments for commercial volumes. If you are moving off a phthalate or qualifying a second ATBC source, cross-references to commonly specified citrate plasticizer grades are available on request.
Yes. ATBC is made from citric acid produced by fermentation, and it carries a measurable bio-based carbon content by ASTM D6866.
ATBC is food-contact capable and is widely used in food-packaging film and nitrocellulose food-packaging inks. Specific compliance depends on the application; documentation is available on request.
ATBC is the established non-phthalate plasticizer for medical PVC such as blood bags and IV tubing where DEHP restrictions apply. Qualification should be run in your own system.