Clariant's Cartafluor CFI gains food contact compliance certificate from FDA and BfR
12 December 2006
Cartaflour CFI, the new grease and oil-resistant additive for paper and board from Clariant, has been given global approval by the most important food safety authorities in the world. In October 2006, food contact compliance was received from the US Food and Drug Administration authorities which now means that food packaging manufacturers all over the world can tap into a high performance additive with real, measurable advantages in complete confidence. In particular, this is an exceptional outcome for manufacturers who supply the burgeoning fast food industry where performance against oil and grease is a key indicator for customer satisfaction.
Clariant's research and development team have spent considerable time and investment perfecting both the formulation and application methodology for Cartafluor CFI. A high molecular weight cationic fluoropolymer, it can be added at either to the pulp during wet-end processes, or to the surface of the paper as part of a size-press application with other natural binders and additives.
The formulation won approval in 2004 as food contact compliant by the German BfR authorities in April 2004 (BfR XXXVI) - however the news that Cartafluor CFI has now received food contact compliant status from the US authority is a globally significant development. And because of Clariant's global reach and strategic distribution networks, the new product can bring tangible, real benefits to a growing world market.
Specifically, Cartafluor CFI is compliant for the following applications:
* To be added to the pulp slurry (wet-end) at a level not to exceed 0.5%wt-% of dry, finished paper for use in contact with food under conditions of use A-H, as specified in Table 2 of 21CFR 176.170(c).
* To be applied at the size-press at a level not to exceed 0.7%-% of dry, finished paper for use in contact with food under conditions of use C-G, as specified in Table 2 of 21 CFR 176.170
Applications for human food use include high performance paper and board used in the food packaging industry, especially fast food and replaces the use of less environmentally sound materials such as plastics and foils. Pizza and burger boxes, sandwich cartons, fries and wraps - there is a massive growth in pre-prepared food in supermarkets and fast food outlets are continually diversifying and looking for ways to signal more responsible use of materials. A high quality, high performance additive that reduces the absorption of grease and oils is beneficial. And because Cartafluor CFI can be added either during the manufacturing process, or as part of finishing, it can be used by a wide range of manufacturers. There is also growing scope for the use of Cartafluor CFI in higher performance packaging such as pet foods and even paper plates.
Clariant's expert team are on hand to help integrate the new formulation into the process for any manufacturer, and can create bespoke treatments for application based on specific end-use, environmental requirements and local variations. Clariant recognises the importance of identifying the optimum product for any given application and ensure that every chemical they provide is not only fully compatible with the other ingredients, but will combine in a positive manner with other chemicals and fibres used.
Within the Clariant paper business network, technology is easily transferred around the world. This is supported by a well established logistics chain compromising of production facilities around the world providing a high level of customer service. Our regional application labs help customers with technical support, and advanced analytical services available locally
