Owens Corning’s FoodContact™ glass fiber solution for reinforced plastic is designed for use in consumer appliance and food manufacturing products such as kitchen utensils and kitchenware; coffee machines; food preparation equipment; ingredient holding tanks; and drinking water systems.
Owens Corning, a leading global producer of glass fiber reinforcements for composite systems, announced at the JEC Composites Show that it has pioneered a new solution to help kitchen appliance and food processing equipment manufacturers comply with impending European regulations on glass fiber used in materials for food and drinking water contact.
Owens Corning’s FoodContact™ glass fiber solution for reinforced plastic is designed for use in consumer appliance and food manufacturing products such as kitchen utensils and kitchenware; coffee machines; food preparation equipment; ingredient holding tanks; and drinking water systems.
“Developing an understanding of the markets and regulations early has positioned us to help our customers reduce risk of disruption as they work to comply,” said Owens Corning Composite Solutions Business Director of Global Thermoplastics, Steve Zirkel.
The reinforcements were developed to perform optimally in high-temperature resins such as PPS and LCP as well as PPO, PA and polyester-based resins PBT and PET. It is available as glass fiber reinforcement in the form of a chopped strand for use in thermoplastic resins. It is the first product to market that meets the upcoming 2016 European Commission regulations for glass fiber sizing, chemical make-up and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
“The GMP requirements will hold companies to a greater level of accountability across their entire supply chain,” added Zirkel. “With the Owens Corning FoodContact™ products, formulators and manufacturers can be confident they are in compliance with the European Commission standards and delivering a high level of performance.”
FoodContact™ glass fiber solution was developed with consideration for the supply chain to ensure a seamless transition from existing reinforcements to these new compliant materials. Owens Corning collaborated with its thermoplastics customers, custom moulders, design firms and product OEMs to fully understand the performance requirements this product needed to meet.
“Sharing our knowledge about the regulation and expertise in material science with our customers and supplying a quality product provides a competitive advantage for them,” continued Zirkel. “We want our customers to succeed and grow.”
The introduction of FoodContact™ glass fiber solution further demonstrates Owens Corning’s deep understanding of the latest food and drinking water safety regulations and how they affect the supply chain. It speaks to the Company’s commitment to the European market as it seeks to deliver high performance materials that are safe and environmentally sound to make, use and dispose of.