As producer of Epotal ® Eco, BASF now offers the first compostable water-based adhesive certified by the German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV). Epotal Eco is said to be particularly suitable for the production of multilayer films for flexible packaging materials based on biodegradable plastics. Possible applications include bags for potato chips or chocolate-bar wrappings.
There is growing demand for efficient and at the same time sustainable raw materials in the packaging industry. “In the past, we received, again and again, inquiries for biodegradable adhesives but were unable to satisfy them,” confirms Merle Dardat, product manager at DIN Certco, a certification company of the TÜV Rhineland Group and of the German Standard Institute (Deutsches Institut für Normung e. V. / DIN). DIN Certco has now issued the registration notice for Epotal P100 Eco certifying the product as a biodegradable additive.
According to the European EN 13432 standard, substances are considered as fully biodegradable if at least 90% of the organic carbon contained in them is converted into CO2 within a testing period of no more than 180 days. The rotting test in composted earth showed that after only 70 days, 90% of Epotal Eco is broken down. The molecule structure of the product resembles that of naturally occurring polymers. Microorganisms are able to convert them into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass with the help of enzymes. The best results are achieved in industrial composting facilities since they offer ideal conditions for microorganisms. After the decomposition process, Epotal Eco is said to leave no toxic residuals and shows no negative impact on the environment.
BASF says that apart from its compostability, Epotal Eco offers all the benefits of water-based adhesives, which are an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative to solvent-based and solvent-free products. They are free from toxic components and are suitable for food packaging. In addition, multilayer films, which are produced with the help of water-based plastics, can be processed immediately, saving packagers time and money.