More renewable raw materials in the packaging industry: BASF now offers a new option for this. The company is expanding its portfolio of certified compostable biopolymers to include a biomass-balanced ecoflex, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT). During production, fossil raw materials are replaced by renewable raw material alternatives at the beginning of the value chain.
Certified compostable products made from PBAT compounds support the circular economy, as they more organic waste collected and recycled can be realised. However, the use of fossil resources cannot yet be completely avoided in PBAT production. With ecoflex BMB BASF fills this gap and offers a solution that is organically recyclable at the end of its life cycle. In addition, the fossil raw materials are completely recycled at the beginning of the integrated production process. replaced by renewable alternatives. BASF is thus taking a further step towards closing the biological cycle in the sense of a circular economy.
ecoflex BMB gives customers in the packaging industry the opportunity to help reduce the consumption of fossil resources and give their products a unique selling point - without compromising on performance and quality and without additional investment in new processing lines. Properties, quality and certification of the new BASF PBAT are identical to those of the conventional variant. It is therefore not necessary for customers to re-qualify their ecoflex applications, reformulate the compounds or adapt their existing production processes. They can rely on the usual material performance and benefit from a drop-in solution.
„As a pioneer in the development of biopolymers, we continuously support our customers in mastering the transition to a circular economy through the use of renewable raw materials. Our ecoflex BMB is a world first in the biopolymer market and paves the way for greater sustainability in the packaging industry. It helps to reduce the consumption of fossil resources and greenhouse gas emissions and promotes the use of renewable raw materials from organic waste and residual biomass. In this way, we support our customers in making informed decisions in product development and closing the loop in the packaging value chain.“
Marcel Philipp Barth, Head of Global Business Management Biopolymers at BASF
In the biomass balance approach, some of the fossil raw materials at the start of the production process are replaced by renewable resources obtained from waste. Using an externally certified method, the quantity of renewable raw materials is allocated to specific products at the end of the production process: BASF has developed a chain of custody, from the renewable raw materials to the end product, has been established. is sufficient. Independent certification confirms that BASF has replaced the quantities of fossil resources required for the biomass-balanced product sold with renewable raw materials and that the REDcert and ISCC PLUS requirements met become.
Since its introduction in 1998, the ecoflex the first commercially available, biodegradable and certified compostable biopolymer on the market. Innovative biopolymers based on ecoflex have opened up new recycling options for plastics that increase organic recycling and thus contribute to a circular economy. As a blending component, ecoflex gives the certified compostable BASF compound ecovio Special material properties such as flexibility and strength. Studies show the benefits of ecovio for the production, packaging and shelf life of food as well as for the collection of food waste. These benefits are based on the properties of the material, including the certified biodegradability of the material in industrial and home composting as well as in agricultural soils: food waste is reduced; and at the end of the life cycle, ecoflex and ecovio support the collection of food waste, ensuring that nutrients are returned to the soil through high-quality compost. This contributes to a circular economy because the nutrient cycle is closed through organic recycling.
Source: BASF
