DSM Introduces Atlac 5200 - New Food-Contact And Drinking Water Compliant Resin
Spearheads improved industry standards in manufacturing and material assurances for resins in food and water composite applications
DSM has introduced its latest composite resin – Atlac 5200 FC - developed specifically for use in composite applications that have contact with food and water. Officially launched at last week's JEC show in Paris, this new vinyl ester resin is unique in that it is fully compliant with the European regulations on food contact and made in line with commonly accepted Good Manufacturing Practices for the Food Industry. The resin is therefore suitable for use in a variety of composite applications such as tanks and pipes that are intended for contact with food and potable water.
Typical end use applications include potable water transport networks, water treatment installations, desalination plants, and in-plant piping and storage vessels in food processing industries. Atlac 5200 FC resins can be converted in standard manufacturing processes including filament winding, infusion and hand lay-up. The process-ability is as robust as with conventional vinyl ester resins for making pipes, vessels or tanks.
With the growing global population the demand for safe food and drinking water will increase significantly over the coming decades. More than 20% of the world will be affected by water scarcity in the next 20 years and supply of clean water as well as safe management of waste water will become more and more crucial. Furthermore, health, safety and environmental regulations as well as legislative measures are likely to become more stringent, with the immediate result that the demand for high quality and safe-to-use storage tanks and piping is set to grow.
Through its excellent anti-corrosion and heat resistance properties Atlac 5200 FC resin enables the manufacture of composite components that are long-lasting, even in hostile environments. For plant operators this means continued process operation, reduction of maintenance, and consequently low cost of ownership. In addition the use of composite materials will allow for optimising design and for integration of individual parts.
Pipes, vessels, and storage tanks operating in direct contact with food stuff or drinking water require compliance with specific European Food and Drinking Water industrial standards and regulations. This assures customers, operators, and end users that the raw materials used in the resin composition have been assessed by the European Food Safety Authority and the European Council for effects on human health and approved for use in food contact articles.
Atlac 5200 FC is fully compliant with the governing EU regulations related to materials intended to come into contact with food (EU regulation No 1935/2004) regarding materials that are included on the "positive list" of authorised materials as stipulated by the European Food Contact Directive 2002/72/EC, and is manufactured with commonly accepted Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for the intended use in accordance with EU regulation No 2023/2006 (GMP).
According to DSM it is one of the industry's first resins to be produced in accordance with GMP for products intended to come into contact with Food. GMP is an internationally accepted quality control system used in the nutritional, food and pharmaceutical industries that sets standards and guidelines for the safe production, testing and use of a product.
Moreover, Atlac 5200 FC resin has already obtained initial approvals at institutes such as the UK BS6920/WRAS and the French ACS, with many more approvals in the pipeline.
"We believe we are taking the lead in setting higher standards of quality, assurance and transparency in the industry to ensure that composite parts are really safe to use in contact with foodstuff and drinking water," says Wilfrid Gambade, Business Director Composite Resins & Global Markets, DSM Composite Resins. "With our new Atlac 5200 FC resin, DSM now offers one of the first resins to be produced in accordance with the commonly accepted Good Manufacturing Practices for the food Industry, and in doing so, offers a pro-active and sustainable solution to its customers and end-users. Atlac 5200 FC perfectly reflects our mission as a life sciences and materials sciences company to develop innovative solutions that genuinely contribute to society's needs."
Components based on Atlac 5200 FC resins outperform components made from steel in terms of corrosion resistance and chemical resistance, increasing component life time, and thus reduced cost of ownership.
As all the ingredients used in the manufacture of Atlac 5200 FC resin are certified to be compliant with the EU's food contact materials "positive list", the approval process for DSM's direct customers is simplified. Obtaining approval for the final components which are manufactured from Atlac 5200 FC resin is easier, quicker and can be achieved with reduced testing, simplifying the approvals process and lowering costs. DSM also provides customers with advice and guidance on how to implement GMP in component manufacturing.
About DSM Composite Resins
DSM is the largest producer of structural resins in Europe and a technology and innovation leader for the composites industry. The company is globally expanding its activities in structural resins, especially in China, India and Turkey/ Middle East, targeting high added-value segments. In China, DSM is the leader in Specialty UPR and Vinyl ester resins.
Customers are supported via dedicated Centres of Excellence and served worldwide either directly from the facilities or in Europe via its Euroresins distribution network. DSM is also the world's largest producer of Glass Fiber Sizings & Binders under the Neoxil brand. DSM can claim unique competencies throughout the composites value chain. For more information, visit www.dsmcompositeresins.com.
About DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.
Royal DSM N.V. is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM's 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of about € 9B. For more information, visit www.dsm.com.
SOURCE: DSM