KRAIBURG TPE Introduces New Standards for Food Applications

KRAIBURG TPE is addressing key criteria for food-contact applications with two new compound series, FC/CM1 and FC/CM2. Rising consumer awareness of environmental protection and sustainability is driving continuous demand for reusable products. Locks on food storage products such as serving trays, shakers and lidded containers are typically made from thermoplastic elastomers. However, to ensure these products can be used with confidence, they must be manufactured from materials that will not cause physiological harm over the long term. Rules governing plastic applications in direct food contact are explicitly set out in EU Regulation 10/2011, with strict limits established on the permissible migration levels of substances contained in materials. KRAIBURG TPE meets the requirements set out in Title 21 of the US Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR) through the composition of its compounds. KRAIBURG TPE CEO Franz Hinterecker stated: "In recent years, we have worked intensively on this issue and made substantial investments in researching and developing new TPS components for food contact. At this stage, comprehensive analyses and migration studies enabled us to establish certain baseline points in calculating migration characteristics and to translate these into commercial TPS formulations." Hinterecker continued: "The most appropriate solution in this regard is to create separate series formulations specifically tailored for environments containing edible oils and fatty foods such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, other sauces and meat products. To ensure we achieved the desired outcome, we followed a holistic and targeted approach to migration potential when formulating the materials."