Welcome to ECPI
Welcome to the web site of the European Council
for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI).
ECPI is a Brussels-based trade association representing the
common interests of European manufacturers of plasticisers,
alcohols and acids.
ECPI is a sector group of Cefic, the European Chemical Industry
Council, which represents the interests of the European chemical
industry.
The Plasticisers Information Centre
A plasticiser is a substance which when
added to a material, usually a plastic, makes it flexible,
resilient and easier to handle. Early examples of plasticisers
include water to soften clay and oils to plasticise pitch for
waterproofing ancient boats. Today, modern plasticisers are manmade
organic chemicals; the majority of which are esters, such as
adipates and phthalates.
The Plasticisers Information Centre
The Phthalates Information Centre
Many life-saving medical devices,
electrical cables, film, clothing and footwear, automotive
components, flooring, and wall-coverings achieve their unique
qualities of colour, flexibility, softness and feel as a result of
the plasticisers that are used in their production.
ECPI has considerable information available on a wide range of
plasticisers including phthalates which are the most widely used.
Phthalates are among the most well researched of all chemical
substances. In the past 30 years, more than €130 million has
been spent on research to ensure that their use does not pose
a risk to human health or to the environment.
Phthalates Information Centre Europe
Latest Information

Decision to restrict use of phthalates in toys ignores
science
The decision by the EU to restrict the use of phthalates in
children's toys and childcare items ignores a scientific risk
assessment and is a misuse of the precautionary principle.
ECPI media statement
Final EU Risk Assessment Reports Final RA
Reports have been published for DINP and DIDP
DINP Information Centre
DIDP Information Centre
Members of ECPI
ECPI's membership consists
of nine major European manufacturers of plasticisers or
intermediates. Between them they account for more than 90% of
European plasticiser production.
More
information on the work of ECPI
Vinyl 2010 - Our commitment to a sustainable future
ECPI is one of the founding
contributors to Vinyl 2010, the PVC industry's 10-year
programme to enhance its sustainability profile by improving
production processes and products, investing in technology,
minimising emissions and waste and boosting collection and
recycling.
Central to our approach is the
Voluntary Commitment of the European PVC industry.
Please refer to the
2006 report and to the Vinyl 2010 website for further
information.
Responsible Care
The European Council for Plasticisers and
Intermediates (ECPI) represents an industry which is accountable
and is committed to the global chemical industry initiative
'Responsible Care'
More
information
Making Sense of Science
Every day we are bombarded with
information about science from newspapers, radio and television
programmes and the internet. Making sense of it all can be very
difficult. How do we know what to believe?
Latest Information
New: The Plasticiser Industry newsletter,
INFORM, Autumn
2007
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