US speciality chemicals company Eastman (Kingsport, Tennessee; www.eastman.com) will discontinue production of its DEP and DBP ortho-phthalate plasticisers. The two grades are to disappear from the company’s product list on 31 December 2011. Eastman said it would continue to manufacture and deliver the grades this year.

Explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Steve Cullen, who manages Eastman’s plasticiser strategy, said: “With the recent acquisition of the ‘Benzoflex’ family of benzoate plasticisers and the launch of Eastman DBT non-phthalate plasticiser, we have an excellent and broad offering of non-phthalate alternatives in the fast-fusing, high-solvating segment that meet our customers’ needs.” He added that the discontinuation of these two grades was part of Eastman's strategic growth plan.