Clariant certified for home and industrial compostable masterbatches

The colour and additive masterbatches produced by Clariant at five plants in Europe and Asia have been awarded OK compost Home and OK compost Industrial labels by the TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium NV testing company. As a result, they comply to EN 13432:2000 – the European standard for heavy-metal content and plant toxicity, as well as the EU Packaging Directive ( 94/62/EEC), with ingredients, including the polymer carrier, will not compromise the biodegradability of the plastic products and packaging in which they are used. The OK compost certified masterbatches use only non-toxic and heavy-metal-free ingredients and the amount of colorant or additive used in a given volume of plastic is strictly limited. Only biodegradable carrier resins – mainly starch-based polymers like polylactic acid (PLA) – are used. The OK compost Home label is in demand among an increasing number of customers around the world, leading Clariant to seek certification in order to further strengthen its sustainable product portfolio. The masterbatches produced at the sites in Spain and Italy were certified as industrially compostable in 2012, and have now also earned the home compostable label. The products produced at the plants in Ahrensburg and Lahnstein, Germany, are now are also compliant with both standards, while the Clariant plant in Phanthong, Thailand, is certified to supply OK-compost-labelled masterbatches to Asian customers.