Huntsman Launches New TPUs for Food Contact Applications Ahead of K2016

Osnabrück, GERMANY – Global chemical company Huntsman has developed three new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grades that can be used in the safe, hygienic, processing, packaging and distribution of food. The new products, which will be promoted at K2016 in October, all adhere to rigorous food contact material (FCM) health and safety standards, and are produced at Huntsman plants where good manufacturing practice (GMP) procedures are in place.

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. Creating belts with these characteristics is essential in food factories, particularly those that process meat, poultry and fish. Subject to frequent and rigorous cleaning methods, belting materials in these environments 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 10ºc to 15ºc lower than standard TPU grades available for this application – but the same hardness properties – IROGRAN® A 92 E 5068 FCM DP TPU can help manufacturers save time and money when it comes to producing or customizing belts by cutting and welding. It is also lighter in appearance than some typical TPU grades, making it easier to customize and color.

In addition, Huntsman is pleased to announce that its IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 FCM TPU grade has been certified for use in the potable water industry – without restriction. The material has reached the required standards for migration and smell as set out by the Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets in line with KTW (Kunststoffe and Trinkwasser) recommendations. This accolade adds to the material’s existing NSF/ANSI 61 certification, reinforcing its suitability for the manufacture of flexible hoses used to supply drinking water. Following extensive testing, IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 FCM
TPU is certified as compliant with all potable end use applications, specifically A, F and P – appurtenance, fittings and pipes.

Dr. Andrea Martignoni, Sales Manager TPU EAIME, at Huntsman, said: “As the world’s population increases, demand for convenience food and packaged goods is on the up. From dairy and cereal products to bottled drinks and pharmaceuticals, more of us are relying on processed food and drink in our everyday lives. This trend is also driving demand for innovative food contact materials (FCM) that can simplify and safeguard food, drink and drug manufacturing, transportation, packaging, supply and distribution processes. We have a long history of producing FCM TPU materials under GMP conditions and look forward to discussing our expanded range of solutions with key decision makers who visitK2016 this autumn.”
For more information about Huntsman’s TPU materials, please visit the team at K2016 in Hall 5 at Stand A05.
Alternatively, you can email: andrea_martignoni@huntsman.com

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About Huntsman:
Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals with 2015 revenues of approximately $10 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 100 manufacturing and R&D facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 15,000 associates within our 5 distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.

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CONTACT:
Simone Richter
Tel: + 49 (0) 541 9141 207
Email: simone_richter@huntsman.com