Servicing the Food and Beverage Industry
Today, food and beverage processing industries are safer and more efficient than ever; innovative food-grade silicone and high-performance rubbers allow for the manufacture of products with superior strength, stress resistance, heat performance, bacteria resistance, and unparalleled nonstick properties.
At Elastomer Technologies, Inc. (ETI), we offer innovative injection moldings, compression moldings, and die cutting services for the food and beverage sectors, ensuring optimal product precision and performance in these hygiene- and safety-critical industries.
Material and Manufacturing Options for Food and Beverage Applications
At ETI, we work with a range of different materials to meet specific food and beverage application needs. A few of our most popular material options include:
- Viton®
- Silicone
- Fluorosilicone
- EPDM
- Butyl
- Neoprene
- Styrene-butadiene (SBR)
- Polyisoprene
- Nitrile rubber
All of these can be molded; the ideal process for a specific application will depend on a part design’s geometry, function, material property requirements, tolerance, cost objectives, and overall quality. While these are some of the most common choices, we offer virtually limitless material options, making use of custom compounders for both organic and inorganic materials. Our Design Analysis tool can assist clients in choosing the right material for their unique application.
We offer liquid silicone injection molding, compression and transfer molding, high-speed die cutting, and liquid silicone rubber molding services for the production of high-quality food and beverage products. Our new 50-ton and 100-ton liquid injection molding presses allow for enhanced product quality in critical food and beverage applications, and can easily run HCR silicone compounds. Our high-speed die cutting services can provide a cost-efficient solution for materials or geometries requiring more accurate tooling and finished cuts.
Our sophisticated prototyping capabilities ensure optimal quality for all projects, taking into account key variables — including function, environment, and physical requirements — in order to deliver cost-efficient, reliable solutions. We offer the following types of prototyping:
- Pour molding of room-temperature-vulcanizing (RTC) silicone
- Transfer/compression molding of HCR silicone or liquid silicone
- Injection molding of liquid silicone rubber or HCR silicone
Common Food and Beverage Applications
These materials can be used in a wide range of food and beverage applications, including:
- Nonstick, flexible bakeware and molds
- Cold molds such as ice cube trays
- Custom-molded, bacteria-resistant grips for knives, spatulas, whisks, spoons, and other utensils
- Safe, heat-absorbing handle covers and grips for pots, pans, and trays
- Low-creep industrial gaskets, seals, and O-rings built to withstand exposure to food processing, as well as transportation, preparation, and manufacturing processes
- Long-lasting hoses and tubes optimized for food and beverage environments
- Bottle dispensers and nozzles with superior precision and liquid-flow management features
Industry-Leading Manufacturing Technology From ETI
Elastomer Technologies, Inc. is proud to specialize in compression molding, transfer molding, and injection molding technology. We pride ourselves on creating complex, quality components that meet high-purity standards, and we make use of energy-efficient presses throughout all of our processes.
Our solutions-oriented team is committed to constant improvement and innovation in everything we do, and we back each run with 100% process verification and validation. We can handle both large and small projects, and we work closely with all clients to ensure optimally tailored, reliable solutions. Curious to learn more about our FDA-compliant rubber parts for the food and beverage industry, or need to discuss a specific application need, such as rubber seals and hoses? Reach out to the team at ETI today to learn more.