Clariant has achieved a major regulatory milestone, with the EU Commission approving its sustainable Licocare RBW rice bran wax additives for food-contact plastics, based on a positive EFSA safety assessment. Effective February 2026, this authorization enables the use of these renewable additives in PET, PLA, and PVC, offering a lower-carbon alternative for the European plastics market.

The EU Commission has officially approved the Licocare RBW 100-300 series, following a positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This authorization specifically includes Licocare RBW 360 Vita and RBW 560 Vita, allowing their use as additives in several high-performance plastics.

This authorization 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.

"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," said Diederik Goyvaerts, Segment Manager Additives at Clariant. "This authorization 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."

This approval arrives at a crucial time, offering a timely, sustainable alternative to the depleting supply and rising costs of traditional lignite-based montan wax. With German montan wax sources facing structural constraints, Clariant's non-food competing rice bran wax additives provide a reliable, high-performance solution, eliminating dependence on finite fossil resources.

Clariant’s Licocare RBW Vita additives enhance packaging sustainability through biodegradability and industrial compostability. These renewable, rice bran-based solutions offer superior processing—including lubrication, dispersion, and mold release—for food containers and bottles, while reducing Scope 3 emissions and eliminating the environmental disruption caused by traditional mining.

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.