QEPP launches food compliant materials range
line of food compliant materials (FCM) that will allow food
manufacturers to meet the European Union's Directive 2002/72/EC on
food-contact materials.
The range is targeted at a range machine plastic parts used in food processing such as guiders, bushings, housings, thrust washers, forming plates, and scrapers.
Key industry segments that could benefit include bakeries for use in products such as tunnel ovens and forming, dairy processing and packaging; meat and sausage-processing equipment providers and beverage processors and fillers.
The new materials are designed to provide superior performance for machined plastic parts used in food and beverage processing and packaging equipment in food-product contact. The company claims that the materials are also suitable for machined non-direct-food-contact-compliant applications such as shields, wall, and ceilings in food processing operations where cleanliness is an issue.
"We are pleased to announce this complete food contact materials for the food processing and packaging industry," said Ulf Barth, QEPP market development manager. "Our new food-compliant materials can be heated or cooled repeatedly without affecting food taste or appearance.
"Food preparation equipment made with most of these materials can be frequently disinfected and sterilised without fear of degradation. In addition, bearing or load surfaces made from plastics will not introduce dangerous shavings and require no lubrication."
QEPP claims that the new food contact-compliant products offer chemical resistance against cleaning and sanitising substances used during food processing, and the blue colour helps trace any potential plastic content in processed food. QEPP says that the materials' self-lubrication and high wear resistance also enables FCM products to deliver lower maintenance costs and good environmental performance.
The new product line includes highly chemical-resistant materials like Cestiline polyethylene, Ketron polyetheretherketone and Techtron polyphenylene sulphide.
"We expect to see strong growth for these materials in the global food processing industry due to innovation, re-investment, and maintenance requirements. New countries joining the EU and strong activity in China will also spur growth," said Barth.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union first published the Commission Directive 90/128/EEC in February 1990, which related to product with plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. Since January 1993, the Directive has been effective to prohibit trade in those products which do not comply with the requirement.
The Directive includes positive lists for monomers and raw materials as well as additives that are permitted for the production of plastic materials and consumer goods intended for food contact. Additionally there are national recommendations like the German BgVV, which describe especially traditional plastics and additives.
