TPEs unveiled for food contact applications

03-Dec-08

GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, a PolyOne business has announced development of a new family of TPEs acceptable for many food contact applications, including direct contact with fatty foods under certain conditions. DYNALLOY™ OBC 8100 TPE series products have been formulated using materials qualifying under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as food contact substances (FCS). According to company, these TPEs are appropriate for food preparation products, equipment as they improve comfort and safety through their non-slip gripping properties and soft feel. Applications include: handle grips for items such as fat-separator measuring cups, infant feeding items, and low-pressure seals. As per the company, the new family of TPEs are offered in a variety of hardness options which can be overmolded onto polypropylene and are easy to color and process via injection molding. DYNALLOY grades allows manufacturers to benefit from design and aesthetic advantages of TPEs, particularly with overmolding technology. The company asserts DYNALLOY OBC 8100 grades leverage the unique rubber properties of Dow INFUSE™ Olefin Block Copolymers and are offered in Shore A hardnesses of 50, 65 and 75, along with an option of custom-formulation of other Shore A values.