Huntsman launches three TPUs for food contact applications

Chemical company Huntsman has developed three thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grades that can be used in the hygienic processing, packaging and distribution of food.

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 factories, particularly those that process meat, poultry and fish, must be able to 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 has also developed IROGRAN A 92 E 5068 FCM DP TPU for the conveyor belt industry. With a processing temperature that is between 10 to 15°C lower than standard TPU grades available for this application — but the same hardness properties — the TPU can help manufacturers save time and money when producing or customising belts by cutting and welding. It is also lighter in appearance than some typical TPU grades, making it easier to customise and colour.

Huntsman has also announced that its IROGRAN A 85 P 4394 FCM TPU grade has been certified for use in the potable water industry, without restriction. This adds to the material’s existing NSF/ANSI 61 certification, reinforcing its suitability for the manufacture of flexible hoses used to supply drinking water.