Clariant secures EU approval for rice bran wax additives, enabling sustainable, compliant food packaging solutions while reducing reliance on fossil-based materials.
Clariant has reached an important regulatory milestone after securing approval from the European Commission for its renewable rice bran wax additives used in food-contact plastics. This authorization follows a positive safety evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority and was officially published under Regulation (EU) 2026/245, amending Annex I of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on February 2, 2026. The approval establishes Clariant’s Licocare RBW product range as a compliant and sustainable option for food-contact plastic applications across Europe.
The authorization specifically applies to the Licocare RBW 100–300 series, including grades such as Licocare RBW 360 Vita and RBW 560 Vita. These additives are now permitted for use at concentrations of up to 0.3% in materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), and rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Their use is limited to applications involving contact with non-fatty foods. Additionally, the approval supports a wide spectrum of processing and usage conditions, including storage at room temperature, hot-fill processes, and heating scenarios up to 100°C for durations of up to two hours. This flexibility makes the additives suitable for diverse food packaging applications.
This development marks a significant step in Clariant’s broader global regulatory strategy for rice bran wax-based additives. The European authorization complements existing approvals granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Japan’s food safety authorities. With the regulation coming into force on February 23, 2026, manufacturers throughout Europe can now adopt these additives with confidence, ensuring compliance with strict food safety standards while advancing sustainability objectives.
According to Diederik Goyvaerts, Segment Manager Additives at Clariant, achieving this approval reflects years of focused effort and underscores the company’s dedication to delivering safe, sustainable, and high-performance solutions. He emphasized that the authorization creates new opportunities for European manufacturers to transition toward renewable alternatives without compromising regulatory compliance or product quality.
The approval comes at a crucial time for the plastics and packaging industry, which is facing increasing challenges related to the supply of traditional montan wax. Derived from lignite coal deposits, montan wax production is constrained due to the depletion of key reserves, particularly in Germany. These limitations have resulted in supply instability and rising costs, prompting manufacturers to seek dependable and sustainable substitutes.
Clariant’s rice bran wax additives offer a compelling alternative by eliminating reliance on fossil-based raw materials while maintaining comparable functional performance. In addition to addressing supply concerns, these bio-based additives contribute to environmental sustainability through biodegradability and industrial compostability. Their production process avoids the ecological disruption associated with lignite mining and supports reductions in Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
From a technical standpoint, Licocare RBW Vita additives deliver essential processing advantages, including improved lubrication, effective mould release, nucleation performance, and enhanced dispersion. These properties make them suitable for a wide range of applications, from beverage bottles and food containers to protective packaging materials.
Overall, the European approval strengthens Clariant’s global regulatory framework and reinforces its position as a reliable partner for manufacturers pursuing sustainable and compliant additive solutions. As the food packaging sector continues to embrace renewable materials and circular economy principles, Clariant’s rice bran wax innovations provide a practical and proven pathway toward achieving these goals.
