New Life for Recycled Plastics and Bioplastics in Packaging Applications BASF Receives FDA Food Contact Notification for Joncryl® Functional Additives
FLORHAM PARK, NJ, March 19, 2009 -- BASF has received a new Food Contact Notification (FCN) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that broadens the use of Joncryl ADR4368-C and Joncryl ADR4368-CS functional additives in packaging applications. FCN#853 states that the additives may be used in the manufacture of single-use food packaging*.
Joncryl additives are reactive polymers that, when added during melt processing, enhance mechanical properties of food-packaging polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and emerging bioplastic polyesters, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB).
This boost in performance can be used to achieve higher regrind and recycle rates, improve hydrolytic stability, and increase production rates.
Typical applications include blown films, extruded sheet, thermoformed articles, blow-molded bottles, polyester foams (including PLA), and the compatibilization of polycondensate blends.
The new FCN complements previously received food contact notifications for repeat use applications (FCN 429) and for use in single-polymer applications (FCN 545 for PLA film and FCN 594 for foam). Joncryl additives are also compliant with European Food Contact Regulations, including Plastics Directive 2002/72/EC.
"These additives are being used by many PET processors to improve part performance; now they are available to food and beverage packaging producers as well," said Alex Sokolowski Ph.D., Business Development Manager, Joncryl Functional Additives for Plastics, for BASF in North America. "The additives enable the use of recycled material while matching the performance of virgin resin. Often, a small amount of our additive (less than 0.4 percent) is sufficient to build molecular weight and improve melt strength to desired levels. At these dosages, material clarity remains unaffected."
In addition to Joncryl chain extenders, BASF offers the food and beverage industry a portfolio of select colorants, effect pigments, and additives that are approved by the FDA under Title 21 CFR. BASF also offers ultraviolet light (UV) stabilizers that help maintain color and physical properties in end-use applications.
For more information about Joncryl additives, please visit basf.com/chainextenders, or contact BASF at 734-324-6340.
* - For more information regarding FCN#853, please refer to the condition of Use E through G (Table 2-21CFR section 176.170 paragraph (C)), which can be found at cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-fcn2.html#lim853.
For more information contact:
John C. Schmidt
BASF Corporation
Tel: (973) 245-6405
E-mail: john.schmidt@basf.com
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BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.
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