# Polymer additives

Antioxidants, light and heat stabilisers and processing aids that keep plastics from breaking down during processing and use.

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/

Specialty chemicals · Performance additives · No. 78

- Product family
- Feedstock: Oil, gas or coal
- not published in tonnes in sources reviewed
- 5.0 t CO₂e per t
- HS 381239
 Specialty chemicals · Performance additives · Foundation · Matter

A few hundred grams of antioxidant per tonne decides whether a plastic part lasts months or decades.

Chart: Illustration: Polymer additives

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Petrochemicals like phenol and isobutylene are built up in multi-step syntheses; antioxidant 1010, for example, starts from a hindered phenol and methyl acrylate.

##### Three things to know

1. Light stabilisers are low in volume but high in value; the 2023 global listing of UV-328 forced makers to switch UV absorbers.
2. EU Regulation 2023/923 restricts lead in PVC, so pipe makers are shifting to calcium-zinc and organotin stabilisers.
3. Songwon's fourth-quarter 2025 margin fell to 2.5% from 8.9% as Asian oversupply cut prices.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Petrochemicals**Phenol, isobutylene, phosphorus trichloride, acetone
2. 2 **Synthesis**Alkylation, esterification, condensation in batch plants
3. 3 **Blends**Powders, pellets, one-pack blends, masterbatches
4. 4 **Plastic compounding**Added at fractions of a percent
5. 5 **Lasting products**Pipes, films, car parts, garden furniture

##### Go deeper pick a tab to open it in full

## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polymer_additives/links/index.md)