With the FC/CM3/AD1 compound series, our supplier KRAIBURG TPE meets the requirements of the two most important regulatory frameworks for food-contact applications:
European Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 and Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21CFR §177.2600) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The newTHERMOLAST®Kseries was developed specifically for contact with fatty foods and is also characterized by a pleasant feel and improved organoleptic properties. Target applications include reusable food packaging, cosmetic applications, as well as hoses and conveyor belts in food processing.
Consumers' growing awareness of environmental and sustainability issues has led to a steadily increasing demand for reusable products in many sectors. Typical examples include food containers such as lunch boxes, mixing cups, and sealable bowls, in which the seals in the lids are often made of thermoplastic elastomers.
The use of these containers requires reliable materials to ensure long-term physiological safety. The relevant regulations for plastic applications in direct contact with food—Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 and Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR §177.2600) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—define strict limits for the permissible migration of constituents in this context. KRAIBURG TPE meets the requirements that both regulations place on compound compositions with the new formulation of the FC/CM3/AD1 series.
“We have been working intensively on this topic in recent years and have invested heavily in the development of new TPS compounds for safe food-contact applications,” says Dirk Olberding, Market Manager Consumer at KRAIBURG TPE. “Through comprehensive analyses and migration studies, we have succeeded in determining precise calculation models for migration properties and applying them to the formulation of commercial TPS grades.”
In this context, Olberding also points out that TPE compounds can exhibit very complex migration behavior due to their variable compatibility. “The ideal solution is therefore to tailor the TPE formulation of each product line as precisely as possible to the expected contact media—typically high-fat foods such as meat, cooking oils, dressings, or sauces.” To ensure this, we took two different approaches when formulating the materials: on the one hand, we examined the individual raw materials and their interactions, while on the other hand, we always kept the end product in mind with regard to its migration potential.”
Thanks to their durable surface and excellent mechanical properties, the new materials from KRAIBURG TPE significantly extend the service life of reusable containers and lids. Adhesion to various polar thermoplastics, such as PCT-G (Tritan), PET, SAN, PC, ABS, PA6, and PA12, has been successfully tested across the board. Due to their excellent resilience and outstanding tear strength and tear propagation resistance, they are not only suitable for food packaging but also ideal for cosmetic packaging. The new series offers excellent thermoplastic processability, thereby allowing for a great deal of freedom in component design. The compounds are produced at the KRAIBURG TPE facility in Waldkraiburg and are available worldwide immediately.
In accordance with the aforementioned regulatory guidelines, theTHERMOLAST® K compounds of the FC/CM3/AD1 series offer significantly improved migration control compared to conventional TPS. Their minimized migration potential makes them particularly well-suited for applications involving direct contact with fatty foods.
The material is now available from Plastoplan Kunststoffe. You can find a data sheet containing all the important information about the new Thermolast K series here.
