BASF has declared force majeure for its compostable bioresins ecoflex and ecovio. The declaration follows the discovery of a technical defect in the ecoflex plant at Ludwigshafen, which led to the shutdown of the facility on Oct. 13.  

The German chemical giant said it is “working intensively to repair the technical defect but expects the shutdown to last at least three weeks. It said the problem occurred in the heating circuit of the plant, from which “a small amount of the thermal oil Marlotherm SH” entered the product loop.

As the thermal oil is biodegradable, the related processing properties were unaffected, BASF said, adding that according to initial calculations it does not expect any health risks from applications in markets such as agricultural films, waste or plastic bags and coffee capsules. However, products such as thin plastic bags for the transport of fruit and vegetables currently do not meet the requirements for contact with food.

The group said it is in close contact with affected customers for about 1,500 tonnes of product.