BASFs Water-based Epotal ECO Gains TUV Certification

BASF recently gained a further TUV certificate ( DIN Certco) for the previously certified compostable adhesive Epotal ECO. This new certification confirms that the whole adhesive system, consisting of Epotal ECO and the corresponding curing agent, fulfills the evaluation criteria for compostable materials as outlined in the European Standard 13432.

Epotal ECO is now even more powerful

The water based biodegradable adhesive by BASF is now even more powerful. Higher adhesion levels can be reached by combining the adhesive dispersion with a special curing agent.

Epotal ECO is a water based adhesive that first gained the certificate for compostable additives, granted by DIN Certco, in 2010. Test results show that within 70 days Epotal ECO is decomposed by 90 percent. After decomposition Epotal ECO leaves no toxic residues nor shows any negative effects on the environment. In addition, Epotal ECO retains all the advantages of water based adhesives: high green strength, absence of any toxic substances and thus enables an immediate subsequent processing.

Wide range of applications: From shoes to packaging

Together with Epotal ECO, all usual biodegradable materials can be adhesively bonded. It is particularly suitable for the production of completely compostable packaging based on plastics like PLA, NatureFlex a or paper. First prototypes such as candy-, coffee- and instant soup-packaging demonstrate that suitability in practice. Interest in compostable materials is growing in other fields of application, for instance shoe-, carpet-, clothing- and sporting goods-industries. Epotal ECO is realizing new product ideas in all of these industries.

About BASF

BASF is one of the worlds leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation BASF enables its customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. The products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. BASF has summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: BASF creates chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about 73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS) London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).