['< sod >\'\'\'plasticizers\'\'\'( uk :\'\'\'plasticisers\'\'\') or\'\'\'dispersants\'\'\'that are additives that increase the [ [ plasticity ( physics ) | plasticity ] ] or [ [ viscosity ] ] of a material. the dominant applications are for plastics, especially [ [ polyvinyl chloride ] ] ( pvc ). the properties of other materials are also much improved when blended with chemical plasticizers including concrete, clays, and related products. according to february 2014 data, the estimated total global market for plasticizers was 8. 4 million metric tonnes. < ref name = " ceh " > { { cite journal | author = malveda, michael p | title = chemical economics handbook report book on plasticizers | date = july 2015 | url = https : / / www. ihs. com / products / plasticizers - chemical - economics - handbook. html } } < / ref > < eod > < sod >\'\'\'plasticizers\'\'\'( uk :\'\'\'plasticisers\'\'\') ‚ or\'\'\'dispersants\'\'\'are additives also that increase the [ [ plasticity ( physics ) | plasticity ] ] or [ [ viscosity ] ] of either a material. over the last 60 years more than 30, 000 different substances have been evaluated for their plasticizing properties. of these, only a small number – approximately 50 - are today in commercial use. the dominant applications are for plastics, especially [ [ polyvinyl chloride ] ] ( pvc ). the properties of other materials are also improved when blended with plasticizers including concrete, clays, and related products. according to 2014 data, the total global market for plasticizers was around 8. 4 million metric tonnes < ref name = " ceh " > { { cite journal | author = malveda, michael p | title = chemical economics handbook report on plasticizers | date = july 2015 | url = https : / / www. ihs. com / products / plasticizers - chemical - economics - handbook. html } } < / ref > including 1. 3 million metric tonnes in europe. < eod >']