American Biltrite produces standard-compliant EPDM

MIAMI—American Biltrite (Canada) Ltd. has introduced a new EPDM that it said is compliant with NSF/ANSI 61 specifications for use of non-leaching materials in potable water.

U.S. legislation first was enacted at the beginning of 2014, but the provisions just are starting to take full effect in some applications, said Paul Smith, business development manager for American Biltrite. States must show compliance using their own enforcement agencies and report to the EPA. Materials are reviewed each year, covering where the water goes from faucet to drain.

“This is a new thing for us in an industry that really doesn't know a lot about the need for the change to convert to NSF-compliant rubber sheet,” Smith said. He and Frederic Guerin, vice president of sales and marketing, discussed the new EPDM at the recent NAHAD annual convention in Miami Beach, Fla.

Some of the applications that are impacted by the legislation are public drinking water distribution, including water storage tanks and reservoirs, water meters and all the individual components, according to Smith. That includes such items as gaskets used in those products, as well as fire hydrants, drinking fountains, faucets and plumbing devices.

He said fire hydrants previously had been exempt from such rules but that is no longer the case, as hydrants often are used to fill tankers that supply drinking waters in times of emergencies. The same goes for water treatment plants. “Those are two very big industries that will come around for the future,” Smith said.

American Biltrite uses the new EPDM to make its rubber sheet products that are then converted into gaskets by distributor/fabricators. “Some of our end users still need some education,” Guerin said. “Some are not aware of the new law, but we see increasing demand for the product.”

Smith said the process is made somewhat difficult because American Biltrite isn't connected to the end users, and there is much education and training that it must pass onto its distributors. “It's kind of a hidden business,” he said. “Most gaskets are out of sight, out of mind. They're invisible once you cut them.”

Guerin said the laws currently mainly affect the U.S., but Canada also is heading in the same direction. From there it likely will spread to other parts of the world, such as Europe, South America, China and Asia.

The process to develop the new EPDM took 18 months to devise the end compound. American Biltrite had to go through testing with third-party certification firms twice, each time taking two months, Guerin said. “They're now looking for parts by the billion to make sure you have no leach of any harmful material or substance,” he said.

American Biltrite next will look to try to sell the NSF/ANSI 61-compliant EPDM to hose manufacturers, a step the Sherbrooke, Quebec-based firm is looking at taking before 2016. It also sees potential for the material for a molded goods firm that makes such products as O-rings used in faucets and fire hydrants.

“Safety for people is something that will not go away,” Guerin said. “It's going to be increasing, so the ability to comply with new regulations is one of our strengths, and we will definitely build on it to develop new markets. It took us 18 months to develop, but the markets are going this way. As a player in the industry we need to remain competitive and be on the top of the curve.”

He said the company's network of more than 400 distributors in the U.S. will spread the word once the education process takes hold. He also noted that the firm has a sales force of about 30 “knocking on doors and talking to people, educating distributors.”

Smith said the efforts also will be focused on such associations as NAHAD, the Gasket Fabricators Association, the Industrial Sealing Distribution Association and NIBA. Some end users, particularly municipalities, more likely are to be aware of the regulations than others, he added.

“The really good converters are the ones that will drive this to the user,” Smith said. “We are concentrating on presenting workshops at these trade associations.”

Guerin said it's too early to put a potential size on the market, but that eventually it could be “vast.”

American Biltrite makes the gasketing sheet at its location in Sherbrooke and stocks it at six locations in the U.S. and two in Canada.