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Different Types of Food-Grade Plastic Materials
Plastic is an essential component of food packaging, but there’s a limited number of food-safe plastic options. If you’re in the business of food freshness, keep reading to learn the different types of food-grade plastic materials.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene are polymers—when combined, they create an amorphous plastic known as ABS. ABS functions well at low temperatures and is resistant to strain, making it perfect for insulation and transportation. This material is most commonly used in food-adjacent applications such as the linings of refrigerators and food processors.
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
This thermoplastic is light, strong, and stable. You can use PEEK in the microwave thanks to its high melting point, and there’s also no problem if you wash this plastic in a dishwasher. You may have used this material without knowing it: it’s a standard component of coffee machine nozzles and blender mixing paddles. The versatility of this material cannot be understated—you can use PEEK for hundreds of applications.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is among the most widely used plastic materials—you’ve likely used it today! This thermoplastic has applications in water bottles, milk jugs, grocery bags, and cutting boards. HDPE has a high melting point, great impact resistance, and remarkable tensile strength. All these attributes make it perfect for food and beverage packaging.
Polypropylene (PP)
PP has a high melting point and low water absorption. This makes it great for use in microwaves and dishwashers. We also can’t forget to mention its moldability—you can shape it into almost anything you want while maintaining high strength. The choice of color is also yours, as PP can take on any shade, from translucent to opaque.
If you’re looking for food-grade plastic end caps, contact us! We work with high-density polyethylene and polypropylene, so we can help. Now that you know the different types of food-grade plastic materials, keep your products fresh without sacrificing quality.