BASF restructures PBT portfolio ahead of EU BPA ban
Last update on May 15, 2026
The EU ban on bisphenol A in food-contact plastics, entering into force on July 20, 2026, requires material decisions now. BASF Engineering Plastics has restructured its Ultradur® polybutylene terephthalate portfolio into two clearly separated product lines – FC grades for food-contact applications and Aqua grades for drinking water applications – to give processors, OEMs, and brand owners a documented, regulation-ready basis for material selection.
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Transparent differentiation between food contact and aqua grades
The regulatory driver is Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, published in December 2024. Following the end of the transition period on July 20, 2026, the regulation prohibits the use of bisphenol A and other bisphenols classified as hazardous in plastics, coatings, and varnishes intended for food contact. Certain glass-fiber-reinforced Ultradur® grades previously used in food-contact applications were among the materials affected, requiring targeted formulation adjustments.
In response to evolving regulatory requirements, food-contact grades will now be clearly designated as such and will hold the corresponding certifications for food-contact applications. Customers benefit from clear guidance and the assurance that they can continue to rely on high-performance and compliant Ultradur® solutions.
BASF has used the regulatory transition as an opportunity to systematically reformulate and certify a dedicated food-contact line. The following Ultradur® FC grades – free of BPA and carrying valid food-contact certifications – are now available:
Ultradur® B4300G6 FC UN
Ultradur® B4300G6 FC BK15136
Ultradur® B4300G4 FC R03 UN
Ultradur® B4300G4 FC BK15136
These grades cover a documented range of food-sector applications, from components for coffee machines and cookware to parts for industrial food processing, conveyor systems, and handling equipment for eggs and other food products.
To reduce ambiguity at the specification stage
For drinking water applications, the established Aqua grades remain available with unchanged formulations and will continue to be marketed under their current product names. However, glass-fiber-reinforced Aqua grades will no longer carry food-contact certifications going forward. The separation is explicit: Aqua grades are qualified for water and drinking water applications; FC grades carry food-contact certification. The two lines are not interchangeable for regulatory purposes.
The portfolio structure is designed to reduce ambiguity at the specification stage. By clearly differentiating FC and Aqua materials within the Ultradur® family, processors, OEMs, and brand owners can identify which grades are approved for which application type and align material choices with the 2026 regulatory deadline without requiring reformulation decisions under time pressure.
You can review 2800+ PBT grades from top suppliers and compare properties directly in the Master Catalog of Plastics.
Image credits: BASF