New metal detectable plastics range for food processing

The company claims that food processors require plastic equipment parts that will provide “reassurance”​ of easy detection if fragments or particles fall off into the product during processing.

Quadrant said that metal detection is the most “economical, dependable and therefore common form”​ of monitoring for potential contamination.

Launched on the 1 December 2010, the MD engineering range includes three types of thermoplastics: polyethylene (PE), polyoxymethylene (POM), and polyamide (PA6) based food contact approved MD materials.

Dr Stephan Glander, global research & market development director at Quadrant told FoodProductionDaily.com: “​Quadrant is the first to offer this range of metal detectable engineering plastic stock shapes, because a solution to the market is not one product, but a variety which covers most of the requirements of the food industry.”​

Stock shapes of the three products will be offered as extruded rods or plates in various sizes and the range can to be used in processing equipment for the dairy, meat and bakery sectors.

In Europe and the US the plastics will be available mid December or by early January, depending on the material required. For Asia Pacific, the company is also expecting availability in January.

Cost savings​

Quadrant said the individual materials offer different specific advantages, such as good impact resistance, high wear resistance, good machining properties and convenient price performance.

Other benefits, according to the company, include improved safety at the consumer level, lower maintenance costs and better supporting warranty requirements.

Glander said the cost saving for the food producer will be possible mainly by the option to choose the most suitable material for the specific requirement as well as the reduced risk of expensive recalls of food production lots.

In addition, by using already existing metal detectors in the food processing line the manufacturer does not need to invest in new and more expensive detection equipments, he added.

MD thermoplastics are available in a range of parts, such as scrapers, funnels, guiders, gripers, seals, thrust washers, and chain guider elements.

Quadrant said that all its materials deliver the necessary MD level for particles from 3mm x 3mm x 3mm.

In addition the materials are food compliant (according to FDA and EU Directive 2002/72 EC standards).

Glander said the company is working to develop new materials that can perform under much more demanding chemical and thermal operating conditions.