Plasticizers are substances added to plastics to improve their flexibility, durability, and moldability. Some commonly used synonyms for plasticizers include softeners, flexibilizers, additives, and modifiers. These compounds are essential for creating a wide range of plastic products, from toys and packaging to medical devices and automotive components. Other related terms for plasticizers include phthalates, which are a type of organic compound used as plasticizers, and non-phthalate plasticizers, which are alternatives that have been developed due to health and environmental concerns associated with phthalates. Overall, plasticizers play a crucial role in the production of plastics, allowing them to be shaped and molded in a variety of ways to meet specific applications.