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10/03/2011
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Jacco van Haveren
Some of our current products contain components that have already been proved to be damaging to the health of humans and animals, or for which the evidence would seem to be damning. The phthalate softening agents present in all kinds of products varying from shower curtains and carpets to cosmetics and children’s toys (including scoubidou strands and plastic ducks) are a good and well-publicised example. Several years ago, worries about exposing children to phthalate softening agents resulted in a ban on using most phthalates in children’s toys. In response to reports about the dangers of phthalates, the European Commission hopes to impose a universal ban on phthalates within the next few years.
The harmful effect of products is an important reason for switching to more biobased products. Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research has made a substantial contribution to the development of sustainable alternatives to phthalate softening agents by designing softening agents based on ‘sugar’ (isosorbide). Although the industry is showing an interest in these alternatives, the producers of phthalate softening agents and their representative organisations are still putting forward dominant arguments in defence of using phthalate softening agents.
Alongside phthalates, ‘bis-phenol A’ (BPA) is currently another hot item. Bis-phenol A is a petrochemical substance used in the manufacture of many plastics as it creates many useful properties. For example, bis-phenol A is used for a range of construction materials, for babies’ bottles and to stop aluminium-based packaging (such as tins for beer and soft drinks) from corroding on the inside. However, BPA can migrate from products into the environment, where it comes into contact with humans and animals. Like phthalates, there is strong evidence to suggest that BPA can have a harmful effect on reproduction and can damage health. In early 2011, the European Commission decided to ban babies’ bottles containing polycarbonates.
The industry is therefore coming under heavy pressure to replace other bis-phenol A-based products with alternatives. I would expect that as in the case of phthalates, it is only a matter of time before we will see a wider ban on BPA-based products. This, together with the general move towards a more biobased economy, puts Wageningen UR in a key position in terms of developing non-BPA products. There is a diverse range of renewable resources that can be used to find good alternatives to bis-phenol A. To this end, Wageningen UR is maintaining close ties with the national and international business sectors.
I now hope that, unlike with the development of alternatives for phthalate softening agents, the industry (including the chemical industry) will indicate that it now understands the importance of taking a voluntary and active part in working on alternatives for BPA, rather than taking defensive action to prolong the lifespan of products that are already under serious pressure. Forces driving us towards a more biobased economy include the dwindling reserves of fossil resources, climate change and the independence of politically unstable regions. On the other hand, we have excellent proof that products based on biomass allow us to create products that are less damaging and therefore ultimately much healthier.
Jacco van Haveren