For some time, there has been a constant increase in the use of the plasticizer di-isobutylphthalate (DIBP) in food packaging. According to the Federal Institute of Risk Assessment (BfR) recommendation XIV, adhesives for the production of food packaging have to be phthalate-free, but for non-foods the use of DIBP is still considered to be acceptable. From a legal perspective in the food industry the DIBP content gives cause for concern. The reason for the high DIBP-share is the “mixed recycling” of food and non-food packaging. The mixing of packing materials containing phthalate with phthalate-free packaging cannot be avoided. This means that food packaging made of recycled paper may contain DIBP-substances.

For this reason, in the summer of 2007 the South Bavarian company for adhesives PLANATOL - together with other German paper and cardboard manufacturers and processing plants – have committed themselves to the Federal Office for Conservation (UBA) and the Federal Institute of Risk Assessment (BfR) not to use any more products containing the plasticizer DIBP. This commitment includes all PLANATOL adhesives, even paper and packaging adhesives which have not been developed for the use in the food industry.

Following this voluntary engagement, PLANATOL has withdrawn all product formulas containing DIBP from its range from February 2008. As of now PLANATOL will only produce with phthalate-free formulas. The development department was able to convert most of the mixtures completely without plasticizer. One or two adhesive formulas could not be produced without plasticizers and in these cases alternative phthalate-free plasticizers will be used. PLANATOL maintains its high quality standards. Machine tests for the product conversion are not necessary because the adhesive properties do not change. Further information can be found under info@planatol.de.