28 Oct. 2024: Clariant encourages a shift away from montan wax in coatings and plastics in favour of rice bran wax, a rice industry byproduct thought to lower carbon footprints by up to 80% and aid in thermoplastic and biopolymer production.
Montan wax is described as cost-effective and high-performance, yet it is derived from lignite coal. While this coal has a low energy content, some EU Member States can access ‘relatively large quantities’ within their national territories and avoid the expense of importing other fossil fuels.
Nevertheless, it is still considered a finite, non-renewable fossil fuel. Open-cast mining is associated with deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the contamination of soil and water, while the processing of lignite coal emits greenhouse gases emits greenhouse gases and contributes to global warming.
Furthermore, as per the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme, organizations are facing financial pressure to reduce their emissions. For example, Germany has set the CO2 price per ton of emissions at €45, with the figure set to increase to €55 in 2025.
Industries dependent on fossil fuels are beginning to see impacts on their profitability as operational costs rise, according to Clariant. Therefore, the company underlines the importance of transitioning into a sustainability-minded solution.
Rice bran wax is suggested as a biobased, renewable option. As a byproduct of the rice industry, it is expected to add value to an existing agricultural practice while negating the need to mine for resources.
Clariant says that its Licocare RBW Vita rice bran waxes offer a renewable carbon index of over 98% and a carbon footprint reduction of up to 80% compared to fossil-based montan wax. This is expected to help manufacturers align with regulatory requirements and meet corporate sustainability goals.
The rice bran waxes claim to achieve ‘impressive’ gloss, hardness, and compatibility in coating applications. It is even thought to bring ‘additional benefits’ in applications such as metal packaging coatings.
Licocare RBW Vita waxes are also set to serve as a nucleating agent in the production of thermoplastics and biopolymers, while incorporating rice bran wax into plastic formulations is expected to boost efficiency during processing.
Clariant concludes that the use of rice bran wax could help support several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action, by cutting down on emissions and reducing reliance on fossil materials.
Another company repurposing byproducts of rice production into packaging is Srisangdao Rice; its die-formed box is made from chaff, or the outer layer of rice grains. The box carries rice sacks in transit, with consumers then encouraged to reuse the empty pack as a tissue box.
TIPA has also developed a paddy straw tray made from rice waste. It is said to be disposable via paper recycling streams or home compost bins, and is expected to both cut down on emissions from burning agricultural waste and integrate seamlessly into local waste management systems.
Meanwhile, Xampla’s plant-based Morro Coating is classified as a natural plant polymer and is believed to be plastic- and PFAS-free. Transcend Packaging is now set to apply the coating to selected paperboard packaging for quick-service restaurants in a multi-year commercial supply agreement with 2M Group of Companies.