Biotech company Carbios has announced the inclusion of its enzymatic solution, CARBIOS Active, in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS). 

The solution was assigned Food Contact Notification (FCN) 2325 effective 29 February 2024.  

This inclusion allows the use of CARBIOS Active in the manufacture of food-grade packaging materials in the US, including both rigid and flexible applications, among others.

The integration of this solution into plastic conversion processes facilitates the production of a new generation of polylactic acid (PLA) that is fully compostable at ambient temperatures, without leaving behind toxic residues or microplastics. 

PLA-based plastics incorporating CARBIOS Active are certified for both industrial and home composting.  

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), an authority in North America on compostable products and packaging, has also certified CARBIOS Active.  

Carbios CEO Emmanuel Ladent said: “For Carbios, product safety is of utmost priority and we consider FCN from the FDA as the gold standard.  

“The US is a key market for Carbios’ biodegradation solution and we expect the FCN clearance to drive significant additional demand in North America in 2024. Well done to the teams from our biodegradation division for their relentless efforts.” 

Last month, Carbios partnered with engineering, procurement and construction services provider De Smet Engineers & Contractors to construct a polyethylene terephthalate biorecycling plant in France.