EU Commission approves renewable rice bran wax additives for food-contact plastics

Clariant has achieved a regulatory milestone with the EU Commission approval based on the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) positive safety assessment for its renewable rice bran wax additives in food-contact plastics. This authorisation, published in the (EU) 2026/245 amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on February 2, 2026 positions Clariant's Licocare RBW product line as a sustainable and compliant solution for applications intended to come into contact with food across the European plastics industry.

The EU Commission approval based on the EFSA opinion covers the 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 polyvinyl chloride (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.

This authorisation represents a critical achievement in Clariant's global regulatory strategy for rice bran wax additives. The approval complements existing food contact authorizations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Japanese food safety authority, providing manufacturers with a comprehensively approved solution for international markets. With the amendment entering into force on February 23, 2026, the European plastics industry can now confidently incorporate these sustainable additives into their formulations while meeting stringent regulatory food contact requirements.

Achieving the EU Commission approval which is based on the EFSA recommendation for our Licocare rice bran wax additives represent years of dedicated work and demonstrates Clariant's commitment to delivering sustainable solutions that meet the highest regulatory standards. This authorisation opens significant opportunities for European manufacturers to transition to renewable alternatives while maintaining full compliance with food safety regulations. It's a testament to the quality and safety of our bio-based innovations.

Diederik Goyvaerts, Segment Manager Additives at Clariant.

The timing of this approval is particularly significant as the industry faces 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. Clariant's non-food competing rice bran wax additives provide a timely solution, offering comparable performance while eliminating dependence on finite fossil resources.

Beyond addressing supply challenges, Licocare RBW Vita additives offer biodegradability and industrial compostability, supporting end-of-life sustainability goals for packaging materials. The production process avoids the landscape disruption and biodiversity impact associated with lignite mining, while delivering significant Scope 3 emissions reductions for customers. These rice bran wax additives also deliver the processing benefits manufacturers require, including effective lubrication, mould release, nucleation effects and enhanced dispersion properties for applications ranging from beverage bottles to food containers and protective packaging.

The European approval completes a comprehensive global regulatory framework for Clariant's Licocare RBW product line, positioning the company as a trusted partner for manufacturers seeking internationally compliant, sustainable additive solutions. As the food packaging industry accelerates its transition toward renewable materials and circular economy models, Clariant's EFSA-approved rice bran wax additives provide manufacturers with a proven pathway to achieve sustainability goals without compromising regulatory compliance or product performance.