EU allows rice bran wax additives for food-contact plastics
The EU Commission has approved Clariant's use of rice bran wax additives in food-contact plastics.
(AI-generated image) © Clariant
The Swiss chemicals company is claiming a regulatory milestone after EU approval for its rice bran wax additives following a positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority.
The decision covers Clariant's Licocare RBW 100-300 series, including Licocare RBW 360 Vita and RBW 560 Vita, authorising their use as additives at up to 0.3% in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), and rigid PVC materials and articles intended for contact with non-fatty foods.
The approval encompasses applications at room temperature and below, including hot-fill and heating up to 100°C for up to two hours, addressing a wide range of food packaging needs.
The approval complements existing food contact authorisations from the US Food and Drug Administration and the Japanese food safety authority. The amendment entered force on 23 February 2026.
Timing of this approval is particularly significant, says the company, with the industry facing mounting challenges with traditional montan wax supply.
Montan wax, extracted from lignite coal deposits, faces structural supply constraints as key deposits in Germany actively deplete. Manufacturers have experienced supply disruptions and steady price increases, creating urgency for reliable alternatives
