APPLICATION AREAS
EXTRIS produces square mesh fabrics that are well suited for use in sieving and filtration in the food industry.
One of the fundamental requirements for these applications is that the fabric complies with the European Regulations 1935/2004/EC and 2023/2006/EC and subsequent amendments and therefore can come into contact with food without representing a risk for the consumer.
The rules in this area are very clear and certainly do not accept the usage of yarns approved by third parties (e.g. the FDA) as sufficient grounds for declaring the fabric suitable for food use. And for good reason, a great number of different chemicals are used in fabric finishing processes.
In order to issue a food safety certificate, European law requires that specific testing of hazardous substance emissions be performed on the fabrics in simulants of the products that will actually be used in the field.
EXTRIS has implemented a certified procedure for assessing the food compatibility of its fabrics that may be unique in the precision filtration industry. EXTRIS’ food filters provide the service performance required by the application, while also ensuring the utmost safety for the end user.
There are many types of food filters, a few of these include:
Most applications include the selection of custom geometric shapes and utilize packaging techniques ranging from sewing to ultrasonic welding.
Selection of the most suitable materials for the filter begins with an assessment of the working environment, its pH, humidity and operating temperatures
OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE | WATER ABSORPTION | RESISTANCE TO ALKALIS | RESISTANCE TO ACIDS | RESISTANCE TO SOLVENTS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
POLYESTER | -30°C ÷ 120°C | NONE | LOW | HIGH | LOW |
POLYAMIDE | -30°C ÷ 100°C | CONSIDERABLE | MEDIUM | LOW | LOW |
POLYPROPYLENE | -10°C ÷ 75°C | NONE | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH |