Dioctyl terephthalate

Dioctyl terephthalate (CAS 6422-86-2), commercially known as DOTP and also marketed as Di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate or DEHT, is a non-phthalate plasticizer used in PVC compounding and polymer processing.

Where is Dioctyl terephthalate used?

• PVC compounding: primary alternative to DEHP
• Flexible films, cables, flooring and medical-grade tubing where phthalate restrictions apply
• Adhesives and sealants: improves elongation and low-temperature performance
• Coatings: plasticizing modifier that reduces brittleness without compromising film integrity
• Personal care: solvent and plasticizer in nail lacquers and film-forming cosmetics
• It delivers flexibility and durability to finished materials while meeting strict regulatory requirements for phthalate-free formulations.
• Used in extrusion, calendering, injection molding, rotational molding, dip molding, and slush molding.
• Used in automotive interiors.
• Used in the formulation of screen printing inks.

Formulation notes

• Used in PVC materials at a proportion of up to about 15-30%.
• Compared to DEHP/DINP, offers comparable plasticizing efficiency with lower migration and volatility and better low-temperature flexibility.
• Plastisol viscosity is very stable and does not change for days, resulting in more uniform thickness, whereas DOP plastisol viscosity is variable.

Typical specification

• Has a low migration rate.
• Superior-grade product has a color (platinum-cobalt) of no more than 20.
• Purity is at least 99.5 % for the superior grade.
• Volume resistivity is at least 3 × 10⁹ Ω·m for the superior grade.

Regulatory status

• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed it in 2008 and derived a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 1 mg/kg body weight per day.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Supplied to compounders and processors in drums, IBC containers or in bulk.

Frequently asked questions about Dioctyl terephthalate

What are the typical purity and color specifications?

Ester content (purity) is ≥ 99.5%, and color (Pt-Co, APHA) is ≤ 30.

What is the acid value and volume resistivity?

Acid value is ≤ 0.05–0.1 mg KOH/g, and volume resistivity is ≥ 1 × 10¹² Ω·cm.

What grades are available?

Available grades are Premium (color no. 260), first quality (color no. 300), and standard quality.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.