
Kraiburg TPE has developed a new series of thermoplastic elastomers for applications that involve direct contact with fatty foods. Marketed as the FC/CM3/AD1 series, the compounds are designed to comply with European Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 and Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 177.2600 of the US Food and Drug Administration. Target applications include reusable food packaging, cosmetic components, and elements used in food processing such as hoses and conveyor belts. The materials combine adhesion to polar thermoplastics with a pleasant feel and improved organoleptic properties. As demand for reusable products grows, typical examples include seals in the lids of lunch boxes, mixing bowls, and sealable bowls, where thermoplastic elastomers are widely used. The company emphasizes that reliable material selection, together with a well considered end-product design, is essential to ensure long-term physiological safety and compliance with regulatory migration limits. In addition to meeting performance targets, Kraiburg TPE states that the series fulfills composition requirements under both regulatory frameworks and that adherence to migration limits depends on pairing the formulation with appropriate component geometry and surface area.
Regulatory compliance and migration control
The FC/CM3/AD1 series was formulated for applications that must respect strict limits on the migration of ingredients from plastics into food. Kraiburg TPE reports that its approach combines new TPS formulations with guidance on product design to help customers address the relevant legal thresholds. Dirk Olberding, Market Manager Consumer at Kraiburg TPE, said: "We have been working intensively on this topic in recent years and have invested heavily in the development of new TPS compounds for safe applications in food contact. Through comprehensive analyses and migration studies, we have succeeded in determining precise calculation bases for migration properties and transferring them to the formulation of commercial TPS types."
Olberding added that the migration behavior of TPE compounds can be complex due to the variability in their formulation options. "The ideal solution is therefore to tailor the TPE formulation of the individual series as precisely as possible to the expected contact media, usually high-fat foods such as meat, cooking oils, dressings, or sauces. To ensure this, we took two different approaches when formulating the materials, examining the individual raw materials and their interaction on the one hand, but also keeping an eye on the end product in terms of its migration potential on the other."
Adhesion and mechanical performance
The new materials exhibit adhesion to a range of polar thermoplastics. Successful tests have been reported with Tritan (PCT-G), PET, SAN, PC, ABS, PA6, and PA12. According to Kraiburg TPE, the compounds feature a resistant surface and outstanding mechanical properties that support the service life of reusable containers and lids. The series shows very good resilience, as demonstrated by hysteresis tests, along with high tear strength and tear resistance, making it suitable for cosmetics and food packaging where durability and tactile quality are required.
Processing and availability
The FC/CM3/AD1 compounds can be processed thermoplastically and are intended to offer broad latitude in component design. Production takes place at Kraiburg TPE's site in Waldkraiburg, and the materials are available worldwide. In line with the cited regulatory guidelines, the newly developed Thermolast K compounds in this series provide significantly improved migration control compared with conventional TPS. Their minimized migration potential is aimed at applications involving direct contact with high-fat foods.
Behind the new TPE there is intensive development work and a deep understanding of the interplay between formulations and the design of end products