BASF introduces new light stabilizer with FDA approval

12 October 2006

BASF has introduced Uvinul® 4050 H, a new light stabilizer approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in plastics with food contact. The stabilizer can be used in polypropylene, polystyrene, styrene copolymers and acrylonitrile copolymers (including ABS) for making, amongst other things, woven fibre sacks, disposable cutlery and thermoformed packaging such as yoghurt pots. It is the first low-molecular-mass sterically hindered amine (monomeric HALS) to be approved for plastic food packaging. It scavenges the free radicals formed when plastics are exposed to light harmless, which in turn helps prevent the polymer degrading further.

Uvinol® 4050 H can be used in the following concentrations: up to 0.5% in polystyrene, styrene copolymers and acrylonitrile copolymers; and up to 0.25% in polypropylene for foodstuffs with an alcohol content of less than 8%. Usage of the stabiliser also must comply with FDA Regulations 21 CFR 177.1640 (polystyrene), 21 CFR 177.1810 (styrene copolymers), 21 CFR 181.32 (acrylonitrile copolymers) and 21 CFR 177.1520 (polypropylene).

The company claims that the stabilizer can also be used effectively in fibres and injection-moulding from plastics such as polypropylene or polyamide, aided in processing by its high thermal stability.