TPEs for Fatty-Food-Contact Applications

A new family of TPEs specifically developed for fatty-food-contact applications has been launched by Avient. The new family of Versaflex FFC complies with migration limit standards in North America and Europe. Versaflex FFC TPEs, which can be directly overmolded onto various engineered materials and, as an alternative to silicone rubber, reportedly offer more design freedom and increased production efficiency by eliminating secondary processing. These materials have been pre-tested for compliance with the U.S. FDA requirements under 21 CFR 177.2600 for repeated-use applications and the EU standard 10/2011 for food contact.

Compared to silicone rubber, another material usually used in these applications, Versaflex FFC TPEs are said to be easier to process so they can simplify manufacturing and shorten cycle times, potentially reducing overall cost. Also, Versaflex FFC reportedly addresses the challenges associated with the global silicone rubber supply chain and can help design engineers get new products to market more quickly. Formulated without BPA or phthalates, these TPEs can be overmolded onto COPE, PC, or PC/ABS, making it them well suited for a wide range of food contact applications such as food containers, kitchenware, kitchen appliances, and tableware. Currently manufactured in Asia, and available globally, Versaflex FFS TPEs are  highly colorable to meet specific marketplace requirements.

Said Matt Mitchell, globally marketing director for Avient’s Specialty Engineered Materials business, "Avient product development efforts are focused on helping customers comply with the regulations in food contact applications. However, compliance does not depend solely on the right polymer formulation, but also on the design of the finished article. For instance, wall thickness can affect migration test results, with thicker sections presenting a higher potential for failure. Avient’s expertise lies not only in formulation development but also in helping customers optimize their product design and increase the likelihood that the end product will be compliant. This, in turn, can increase speed to market.”