Background Plasticisers are used to make plastic products (such as vinyl floor covering, electrical cables and foils) more flexible, resilient and easier to handle. More than 1.1 million tonnes of plasticisers are used annually wihtin the EU. During the life-cycle of plastic products, phthalates are emitted into the environment. There are major concerns about the long-term impact in terms of the toxic, carcinogenic and potential hormone disruptive nature of phthalates. This is a cause for concern for consumers and legislators. Recent risk assessments have concluded that environmentally sound alternatives have to be developed and demonstrated. Cerestar has co-developed a potential alternative. Objectives The objectives of this project were threefold: - Demonstrate (in line with the 6th Environment Action Programme regarding reducing the impact of large-volume man-made chemicals on the environment and human health) the benefit of applications of bio-degradable, non-toxic plasticisers during the production of different plastic products. - Obtain reliable data that can be extrapolated to the whole plastics industry. - Inform, motivate and activate the plastics processing industry and other relevant actors to change to eco-plasticisers. After completion of the project, reliable data should show: - The technical and economic viability and the environmental benefits generated by applications of the eco-plasticiser. - That applications of the eco-plasticisers would result in a significant reduction of the use of phthalates, and therefore the impact that these hazardous chemicals have on the environment and human health. It was expected that the use of phthalates could be reduced by approximately 1 million tonnes annually in the EU, and that emissions would be reduced by a maximum of 5500 tonnes per year. - That a significant increase in resource efficiency could be reached by replacing non-renewable phthalates by renewable eco-plasticisers made from sugar polyols. The conclusions of this research were to be disseminated to target groups (such as the Cefic working group on plasticisers, the PVC-processing industry, European government bodies and institutes) through presentations, publications, workshops and the Internet. Results The project was stopped early due to higher than expected product costs. The beneficiary tried to optimise the chemical reactions in order to remove undesired compounds and colour from the plasticisers and to find cheaper production methods. Despite substantial improvements, the cost calculation and market investigation showed that there is no possibility of a viable eco-plasticiser product at this time. Main reasons were given as: 1) Industry already moved to other phthalate substances, which are said to be less critical. 2) There are already alternatives like DINCH by competitors, which are cheaper than even optimistic eco-plasticiser calculations. 3) Legislative pressure is uncertain at the moment. Therefore the beneficiary decided to put the project on hold.