Clariant has announced that its bio-based Licocare RBW wax additives have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) applications involving food contact.
The approval expands the company’s existing clearances from polyester to include rigid PVC materials. This opens new opportunities for food packaging and processing equipment manufacturers.
This FDA authorization covers the entire Licocare RBW range, along with Licocare RBW 360 Vita and RBW 560 Vita. The additives can now be used as processing aids, lubricants, release agents, and slip additives in rigid PVC products, applicable to both single- and repeated-use applications. The approval specifies that the additives can be used at concentrations up to 0.5% by weight under certain conditions, including a maximum temperature of 80°C for hot-fill processes.
Additionally, Clariant received an Opinion Letter of No Objection (LONO) from the FDA for repeated use at up to 1% in food-contact articles made from rigid PVC used in food processing equipment, such as conveyor belts, seals, and gaskets. This provides formulators with more flexibility to meet diverse regulatory and functional requirements.
Derived from rice bran wax, Licocare RBW offers a renewable alternative to traditional fossil-based montan wax, which has faced supply disruptions and rising costs. The additive provides benefits like improved lubrication, mold release, and dispersion, while being biodegradable and industrially compostable.
The FDA approval complements recent clearances from regulatory authorities in Europe and Japan, reinforcing Licocare RBW’s position as a sustainable, compliant solution for food-contact applications worldwide. Clariant’s expansion of approvals aims to support manufacturers in adopting renewable materials without compromising safety or performance.
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