ATBC Bio-Based Non-Toxic Plasticizer for Food Wrap

ATBC Bio-Based Non-Toxic Plasticizer for Food Wrap

Why is citrate chemistry considered for food wrap? Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC, CAS 77-90-7) is a bio-based citrate ester that is used where a food-contact flexible film needs low toxicity and predictable migration behaviour. This article explains what citrate esters are used for, how they compare with other food-contact plasticizer routes, and how the choice is confirmed against the food-contact rules of the destination market.

What makes a citrate ester suitable for food wrap

ATBC is produced from citric acid and butanol, and acetylation removes the free hydroxyl group that would otherwise make the ester more polar and less compatible with PVC. The result is a bio-based ester with good plasticizing efficiency and low volatility for its molecular size, which suits thin films that must stay flexible at refrigerator temperature and remain clear.

Food wrap is a demanding application for a different reason as well: the film is thin, the surface-to-volume ratio is high, and the product may be in direct contact with fatty foods. Migration behaviour therefore matters more than in a thick moulded article.

Comparing the food-contact plasticizer routes

There is no single answer for every food-contact application. The choice depends on the destination market, the food type, the contact conditions and the temperature of use. The table below describes the direction of each route; the final position always follows the applicable regulation and the migration test results.

DOBO supplies ultra-pure DINCH and epoxidised soybean oil for food-contact and medical oriented formulations. If your specification calls for a citrate ester such as ATBC, confirm availability with our team before finalising the formulation, because supply routes differ by market.

Regulating food-contact plasticizers

Food-contact materials are regulated by the destination market, and the permitted substance list, migration limits and documentation requirements differ between them. Two practical rules apply regardless of market: confirm that the specific grade is permitted for the intended contact condition, and support the decision with migration data measured on the finished article rather than on the raw material alone.

Frequently asked questions

Is ATBC safe for food contact? Its use is governed by the food-contact rules of the market where the article is sold, along with the applicable migration limits. Compliance is confirmed against those rules and the finished-article test results rather than by a general statement.

Which is better, ATBC or DINCH? They are different chemistries with different origins and performance profiles. DINCH offers low volatility and extraction resistance and is used in medical and food-contact oriented compounds; citrate esters offer a bio-based route. The choice follows the specification and the market rules.

Can ATBC be used for fatty food wrap? Many food-contact decisions depend on the food type and contact conditions, so the applicable migration test on the finished film is what decides.

Request a sample and a recommendation

Send us your film specification, food type and target market and our team will advise on the food-contact oriented grades we supply, supported by a 1kg complimentary testing sample dispatched worldwide via DHL or FedEx. Trial order MOQ is 1 MT, and bulk shipments are loaded as 23 MT flexitank containers from Ningbo or Shanghai.