Seal the deal: BASP supplies Tecnocap with biomass balanced plasticizer for metal closures

04 Oct 2021 --- Tecnocap has begun manufacturing metal closures for packaging with BASF’s biomass balanced plasticizer, Hexamoll Dinch BMB. The Italian-based metal packaging manufacturer is using the non-phthalate plasticizer for sealing gaskets inside its metal closures.

Sealing gaskets ensure leak-proof containers, protect products from contaminants and preserve product quality throughout a long shelf life.

Tecnocap’s metal closures are used by some of the biggest consumer brands in food, baby food and beverage packaging worldwide.

“Working together with customers and suppliers like BASF to enhance packaging sustainability credentials is a strategic focus for us,” says Michelangelo Morlicchio, CEO and President at Tecnocap Group.

“With the introduction of the Life Cycle Assessment approach and obtaining an Environmental Product Declaration, we can measure the environmental impacts of metal closures and reduce their impact according to our Sustainability Action Plan, which aims at considerably reducing the CO2 emissions by 2030.”

“This initiative is in tune with consumer trends and reflects our commitment to manufacturing more responsible packaging solutions.”Tecnocap’s metal closures are used by food, baby food and beverage brands worldwide.

Carbon and fossil material savings
BASF’s plasticizer reportedly has a lower carbon footprint than regular plasticizer and helps to save fossil resources. The German multinational chemical company uses bio-naphtha or biogas instead of fossil resources when producing Hexamoll Dinch BMB.

These materials are derived from organic waste or vegetable oils. The renewable material is allocated to the final product according to the biomass balance approach, as the raw materials are processed together with conventional feedstock in BASF’s existing production network.

Both the allocation process and the product are certified by independent auditors according to the RedCert standard.

The specifications and technical properties are identical to those of the conventional plasticizer. Therefore, Tecnocap’s metal closure product quality remains while ensuring a “superior” sealing performance.

BASF balances the biomass
Wolfgang Bien, vice president of Industrial Petrochemicals Europe at BASF, says his company shares Tecnocap’s commitment to sustainability and is currently implementing numerous measures to reach its goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.

“The biomass balance approach is one pillar of our carbon management program, which has a major impact on CO2 emissions and the saving of fossil resources,” he explains. “Both aspects are crucial to overcoming the climate challenges of today.”

In other BASF developments, the company recently introduced new additive solutions branded IrgaCycle for mechanically recycling plastics, addressing what it calls “the imminent needs in plastics recycling.”

IrgaCycle is tailored to enhance the quality of post-consumer and post-industrial polyolefin material for reuse in rigid, flexible and molding applications across various target industries.

Edited by Joshua Poole