BASF expands its biopolymer portfolio with mass-balanced Ecoflex

BASF now offers the packaging industry a way to increase the use of renewable raw materials: It is expanding its portfolio of certified compostable biopolymers to include biomass-balanced (BMB) ecoflex, a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) for compounding biopolymers. With the new ecoflex F Blend C1200 BMB, fossil raw materials typically used in the production process are replaced by renewable raw materials at the beginning of the value chain.

The renewable raw materials come from waste and residual biomass and are attributed to the ecoflex grades using a mass balance approach that is certified by REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS. Mass-balanced ecoflex not only helps to reduce the use of fossil resources, but also reduces its product carbon footprint (PCF) by 60 percent compared to standard ecoflex F Blend C1200.

With ecoflex BMB, BASF fills this gap and offers a solution that can be organically recycled at the end of its service life: In addition, its fossil raw materials are completely replaced by renewable raw materials at the very beginning of the production process. BASF is thus taking another step towards closing the biocycle of a circular economy.

BASF PBAT is identical to conventional grades in terms of performance, quality and certification. Customers therefore do not have to recertify applications, reformulate compounds made from ecoflex BMB, or adapt their existing manufacturing processes: they can rely on the same performance they are accustomed to and benefit from a direct solution. "As a pioneer in biopolymers, we are committed to supporting our customers in the transition to a circular economy from renewable resources," said Marcel Philipp Barth, Head of Global Business Management Biopolymers at BASF.

"Our ecoflex® BMB is an industry first on the global biopolymer market and is driving sustainable development in the packaging industry by reducing the use of fossil resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of renewable raw materials derived from organic waste and residual biomass. In this way, we help our customers make informed decisions in product design and thus shape a more circular packaging value chain."