- Clariant's Licocare RBW rice-bran wax additives received FDA authorization effective May 7, 2026, extending approval from polyester to rigid PVC.
- All Licocare RBW grades (RBW 100, RBW 300, RBW 360 Vita, RBW 560 Vita) are approved for direct food contact up to 0.5% and for repeated-use food-processing equipment up to 1%.
- Approval excludes infant formula and human milk contact and limits hot-fill applications to a maximum of 80°C.
- Combined FDA, EFSA and Japanese authorizations, and the rice‑bran wax formulation, address montan-wax supply constraints by providing a renewable, biodegradable alternative.
FDA approval
Clariant’s Licocare RBW rice-bran wax additives received U.S. FDA authorization effective May 7, 2026, extending prior polyester approvals to rigid PVC materials and covering the full RBW range (RBW 100, RBW 300, RBW 360 Vita, RBW 560 Vita).
Scope and limits
The additives are authorized as processing aids, lubricants, release agents and slip additives for single- and repeat-use rigid PVC in all food types except infant formula and human milk; direct food-contact use is limited to 0.5% by weight under conditions of use C–H with hot-fill temperatures up to 80°C, and a Letter of No Objection permits repeated-use food-processing equipment at up to 1% concentration.
Applications and performance
Authorized applications include rigid PVC containers and packaging as well as food‑processing components such as conveyor belts, cutting boards, storage containers, seals and gaskets; technical benefits reported include lubrication, mold release, nucleation effects and improved dispersion.
Regulatory and supply context
The FDA authorization complements prior EFSA-based EU authorization (published Feb 2026 for PET, PLA and rigid PVC) and Japanese approval, offering cross‑market regulatory coverage; derived from rice bran wax, the additives provide a renewable, biodegradable and industrially compostable alternative amid montan‑wax supply constraints tied to declining lignite deposits.
