Phthalate esters are the most extensively used plasticizers in the manufacture of Polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastic. Many medical devices used in the collection and storage of blood components are made of PVC plastic containing di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). DEHP leaches at a rate of 100 μglml · d into platelet concentrate (PC) supernatant when PCs are stored in PVC containers. It is only possible to store PCs for 72 h in this DEHP plastic, after which time the platelet function has deteriorated and they cannot be used for transfusion therapy. Since it was desirable to find a container that permitted longer storage times and because of the concern for the toxicity of DEHP, new bags, manufactured with different plastic formulations without this ptasticizer, were tested for PC storage. Using these new containers, such as the PL732 [polyolefin (PO) plastic], and the CLX300 and PL1240 [tri(2‐ethylhexyl) trimelli‐tate (TEHTM) PVC plastic], it was possible to store PCs for 5 d while preserving platelet function.