Specialty chemicals manufacturer Clariant has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of its bio-based Licocare™ RBW wax additives in rigid PVC food-contact applications, marking a significant step toward wider adoption of renewable additives in the plastics industry.
The authorization, effective from May 7, 2026, expands the regulatory scope of Clariant’s Licocare RBW portfolio beyond polyester materials to include rigid PVC. The approval covers the company’s full range of rice bran wax-based additives, which are used as processing aids, lubricants, release agents, and slip additives in food-contact applications.
Under the FDA authorization, the additives may be used in direct food-contact rigid PVC applications at concentrations of up to 0.5% by weight under specified conditions, including hot-fill applications up to 80°C. Clariant has also obtained a Letter of No Objection (LONO) permitting use of the additives at concentrations of up to 1% in repeated-use rigid PVC food-processing equipment, including components such as conveyor belts, cutting boards, storage containers, seals, and gaskets.
The approval comes at a time when manufacturers are increasingly evaluating renewable alternatives to conventional wax additives. Rice bran wax, derived from agricultural by-products, is emerging as a potential substitute for montan wax, a fossil-derived material whose supply has become increasingly constrained due to the depletion of lignite deposits used for its extraction.
For the PVC industry, the development reflects a broader shift toward sustainable additive technologies without compromising regulatory compliance or processing performance. Food-contact PVC applications demand stringent material approvals, making regulatory clearances from agencies such as the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) particularly significant for additive suppliers and compound manufacturers.
The FDA authorization also strengthens Clariant’s international regulatory position. Earlier this year, the European Commission approved the Licocare RBW portfolio for use in PET, PLA, and rigid PVC following a positive EFSA assessment, while the products are also listed under Japan’s food-contact regulatory framework. Together, these approvals provide manufacturers with regulatory coverage across several of the world’s largest packaging markets.
Beyond food packaging, the approval highlights the growing role of bio-based specialty additives within the PVC sector. As sustainability objectives increasingly influence material selection, renewable processing aids and lubricants are expected to play a larger role in applications where manufacturers seek to balance performance, regulatory compliance, and reduced dependence on fossil-derived raw materials.
For PVC processors, compounders, and packaging manufacturers, the latest FDA approval signals continued momentum toward renewable additive technologies, particularly in high-value applications where food safety and global regulatory acceptance remain critical purchasing considerations.