How will China's RoHS expansion to include DIBP affect domestic plasticizer demand?

How will China's RoHS expansion to include DIBP affect domestic plasticizer demand?
China is actively considering adding DIBP, along with DEHP, BBP, and DBP, to its RoHS restricted substance list under GB/T 26572. The move mirrors EU Directive 2015/863, which already caps these four phthalates at 0.1% in electrical and electronic equipment. For DIBP, a common primary plasticizer for cellulose resins, vinyl resins, and nitrile rubber, this regulatory shift could curb its use in PVC cables, coatings, and inks used in electronics. Domestic producers, such as Shandong Hongxin with 50,000 t/y DIBP capacity, may face softer demand from downstream electronics sectors. However, substitution toward non-phthalate plasticizers like DINP is still limited by cost and performance gaps, so near-term volumes may hold, but compliance costs and testing burdens will rise for converters exporting to the EU or supplying global brands.