Huntsman launches new TPUs for food contact applications

DUESSELDORF, Germany—Global chemical company Huntsman has brought along three new thermoplastic polyurethane grades for use in the processing, packaging and distribution of food to K2016.

The products are said to meet “rigorous” food contact material (FCM) health and safety standards, and are produced at Huntsman plants where good manufacturing practice (GMP) procedures are in place.

For conveyor belt manufacturing, Huntsman has developed Irogran A 90 P 5055 FCM DP TPU and Irogran A 85 P 5054 FCM DP TPU—two polyether-based TPUs that can be used to form conveyor belts with an inherent resistance to water and microbial attack.

Subject to frequent and rigorous cleaning methods, belting materials in food factory environments must withstand water and regular wiping and scrubbing without degrading over time. They also need to be highly resistant to abrasion and fatigue.

Both products are in the final stages of commercial development and are undergoing customer testing.

Huntsman also is displaying Irogran A 85 P 4394 FCM TPU grade, which has been certified for use in the potable water industry—without restriction.

Huntsman said the material has reached the required standards for migration and smell as set out by the Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets in line with KTW (Kunststoffe and Trinkwasser) recommendations.

This, said Huntsman, “adds to the material's existing NSF/ANSI 61 certification, reinforcing its suitability for the manufacture of flexible hoses used to supply drinking water.”

Following extensive testing, the grade also is certified as compliant with all potable end use applications, including fittings and pipes.