Metal detectable technical polymers for food processing: traceability and safety become standard in food contact plastic materials
The safety of the food we consume daily is an absolute priority for all companies involved in the collection, processing, packaging, and distribution chain. One of the most feared hazards is contamination from plastic fragments accidentally released by food handling machinery.
What makes this risk even more critical is that traditional metal detectors cannot identify plastic particles, necessitating the use of materials designed to be detectable by more advanced technologies, such as magnetic field or X-ray systems.
LATI MDT: Compounds Detectable Even in Minimal Traces
To address this need, LATI has developed a complete range of technical polymers filled with detectable powders, even in minimal quantities. These materials are known as MDT, Metal Detectable Thermoplastics, and are available in every type of polymer matrix: reinforced, filled, flame-retardant, and even in blue, the standard color for the food industry.
GANAL’s Choice: Safety and Performance for Food Conveyors
The Spanish company GANAL, based in Valencia, has recently integrated LATI’s MDT materials into the production of their industrial systems for the food sector. Specifically, they have adopted them for:
- Modular belts
- Continuous spiral conveyor systems
These solutions are widely used in food processing and must operate in complex environmental conditions: extreme temperature variations, chemical agents and disinfectants, high mechanical stress. All factors that require highly resistant, stable, and detectable materials.
LATAN 13 MDT05-01: the Compound Chosen for GANAL Belts
For the conveyor belts, GANAL selected LATAN 13 MDT05-01, a POM (polyoxymethylene)-based compound enriched with detectable fillers pre-dispersed in the melt to ensure maximum traceability effectiveness.
The main advantages of the material:
- High chemical resistance
- Low friction coefficient
- Silent operation
- Excellent wear resistance
- Detectability even of the smallest particles
Through the website www.lati.com, GANAL was able to directly verify the performance of MDT materials on their machines, confirming their suitability for their production needs.
[Read here and discover the technical characteristics of LATAN 13 MDT05-01]
Food Compliance: Guaranteed Safety for all Components
Of course, both the base resin and the detectable fillers and colorants used in MDT compounds comply with regulations for direct food contact, ensuring compliance with the strictest European and international hygiene and health directives.
The collaboration between LATI and GANAL represents a concrete example of how innovation in plastic materials can actively contribute to food safety. MDT polymers help reduce the risk of invisible contamination while offering excellent mechanical and chemical performance, essential in modern production environments.
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