Displaying items by tag: machinery

Some 17,600 tonnes of epoxy resins used by the EU’s food and water sector in critical applications such as food cans, machinery and water pipes

According to a new study published by the Epoxy Resin Committee (ERC), the food and water sector use about 17,600 tonnes of epoxy resins annually based on data gathered from ERC members. Epoxy resins are used in food cans to prolong shelf-life and in production machinery to shield food from manufacturing machinery and vice versa. They are also used as sealants for water pipes, reducing leaks and corrosion.
 
“The range of epoxy uses in the food and water sectors is astonishing. No single material would be available to adequately substitute them in all applications”, said Ralf Maecker of the Epoxy Resin Committee. “Epoxies have been subjected to thorough assessments by European and American food authorities in the past few years and represent a safe, affordable solution for the most diverse consumer applications”.
 
Epoxy resins help produce cheaper canned food, which would be heavier and more difficult to transport if stored in glass or other materials. They are used as lining in various types of packaging and protect the package from corrosion whilst preserving the  flavour of the foods. In water pipes, epoxy resins are used both as temporary and long-term fixtures. Without easy-to-apply and affordable epoxies, repairs would take more time and the resulting roadworks would last longer and cost more to taxpayers around Europe.
 
With about €806 million annual sales in Europe, members of the Epoxy Resin Committee employ thousands of citizens in seven EU countries, fostering trade, economic competitiveness and innovation. More importantly, their products are used by a wide range of companies including many SMEs. In Europe, the food and beverage processing machinery sector alone employs 110,000 people across 6,000 companies, generating a turnover of €21 billion.
 
You can read about ‘The socio-economic value of epoxy resins’ on the ERC website or read the report’s Main Findings.
 
About expoxy resins: More commonly referred to as epoxies, epoxy resins are a large class of synthetic resins which enhance the durability, reliability and safety of industrial and commercial applications. Other epoxy uses include water pipes, buildings, cars, planes, sports gear, food packaging and many others.
                                                                                          
About ERC: The Epoxy Resin Commitee (ERC) is a non-profit industry group of major European epoxy resin producers organised under Plastics Europe, the Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe. Member companies are CIECH Sarzyna, Dow Chemicals, EMS-GRILTECH, Hexion, Huntsman, Leuna Harze GmbH, Spolchemie. www.epoxy-europe.eu
 
Contact : Anne-Marie Hamelton | Epoxy Resin Committee PlasticsEurope
Tel: +32 2 676 17 37 | Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.