For almost 10 years now, Beauflor has phased out phthalates in all its vinyl flooring, acting proactively to maximize the safety and health of all its customers. But what are phthalates, why are they used in vinyl flooring and what are the alternatives used today?
Phthalates are a group of chemical substances (plasticizers) used to increase the flexibility, and durability of hard plastics like PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These chemicals have been widely used in various consumer products, including flooring, toys, garden hoses and even personal care items, to make materials less rigid and easier to work with.
Vinyl flooring is known for its water resistance, durability and low maintenance, but mainly it is known as a flexible type of flooring. And to achieve that flexibility, manufacturers have relied on phthalates as a key plasticizer. Without plasticizers, vinyl would remain rigid PVC (imagine a PVC pipe), which is not suitable for use in flooring applications.
However, not all phthalates are created equally. While experts consider a lot of phthalates to be safe, they have flagged others—specifically ortho-phthalates—as potentially harmful to human health and the environment.
These concerns centered on the potential for ortho-phthalates to act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they could interfere with hormonal systems in humans and animals. While the scientific community continues to debate the full extent of the risks, brands like Beauflor decided to take proactive action years ago.
Almost 10 years ago, Beauflor committed to eliminating ortho-phthalates from all of its products, taking no risk and keeping its customers health a top priority. After extensive research and development, Beauflor transitioned to using a safer alternative: DOTP (dioctyl terephthalate).
Unlike traditional ortho-phthalates, DOTP is a terephthalate, a compound that is confirmed to be safe and not part of the potentially harmful ortho-phthalate family. DOTP offers all the benefits of traditional ortho- phthalates—flexibility, durability, and resistance to wear—without the risk of impacting our health and environment.
The fundamental difference between DOTP (Dioctyl Terephthalate) and traditional ortho-phthalates like DEHP lies in their chemical structures, which significantly impact their safety profiles. DOTP is a terephthalate, meaning its carbon chains are attached to the benzene ring in positions that allow for complete hydrolysis and lower toxicity. In contrast, ortho-phthalates are derived from ortho-phthalic acid, which is known for its reprotoxic effects and other health concerns.
DOTP does not carry these health risks, which is why it is widely used in sensitive applications, such as medical devices and toys, where safety is paramount.
The future of vinyl flooring is bright, with continued advancements in phthalate free products and renewable materials, keeping health, sustainability, and safety our top priority. Beauflor's research and development team is constantly exploring new alternatives to existing plasticizers like DOTP that can further reduce environmental impact and enhance product performance.
As a proud REACH-compliant company, Beauflor fully adheres to the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals regulation, which was established to safeguard human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemical substances. As a manufacturer of vinyl flooring, we take our responsibility seriously by identifying and managing the risks associated with the substances used in our products.
This proactive approach ensures that our flooring solutions not only meet the stringent safety standards set by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), but also that we remain ahead of the curve by anticipating and addressing potential concerns before they arise.
