Barium/Zinc systems have undergone a major increase in importance over the last decade because they form an alternative to Cadmium containing stabilizers for plasticized PVC. At present the liquid Ba/Zn type stabilizers are more prevalent than powder forms. The major field of application is in calendaring and plasticized and semi-rigid PVC and in plastisols. Liquid Ba/Zn stabilizers have appeared which are fully equivalent to the liquid Ba/Cd type with regard to the transparency of end products, compatibility, with current plasticizers, which almost match the thermo stability characteristics of the later. Care must be taken to see that "Zinc - sensitive" types of PVC are not chosen for applications.

These notable advances can be traced backed to the fact that the effectiveness of Ba/Zn carboxylates can be considerably enhanced by the addition of metal-free co stabilizers. The development of suitable Ba/Zn systems has really encouraged plasticized PVC processor to eliminate Cadmium from their products. In many countries PVC pastes are processed using mainly Ba/Zn stabilizers.

PVC plastisols stabilized with Ba/Zn compounds are used for the manufacture of artificial leathers, floor coverings, carpets, tarpaulins etc.