On display by DuPont at NPE! Booth 2632, South Hall

DuPont Performance Elastomers has announced that its Viton® FreeFlow™ Z200 fluoroelastomer process aids have been declared compliant with food contact regulations in Europe for use in finished film-type food packaging materials. The processing additive, which uses polycaprolactone (PCL) as the interfacial agent, has been granted a Regulatory Compliance Statement for Food Contact Materials in accordance with European Directive 2002/72/EC, applicable to EU Member States and to Norway and Switzerland.

This is in addition to existing compliance with US FDA Regulations under 21 CFR 177.1520 § (b), Canadian Health Protection Branch (HPB) and with the Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrene Plastics Association (JHOSPA) under Japanese Food Sanitation Law, granted earlier.

“With the addition of EU compliance, Viton® FreeFlow™ Z200 now has food contact approval effective in the major global markets of the world. This will significantly broaden acceptability of the newest PCL-based process aid, and enable film converters to use the distinctive high temperature stability, olfactory and compatibility advantages of Viton® FreeFlow™ Z200 in food packaging wrap products,” said Christopher Fisher, marketing manager – DuPont Performance Elastomers.

In comparison with conventional and polyethylene glycol (PEG) based process aids, Viton® FreeFlow™ Z200 offers better thermal stability at temperatures up to 300°C, minimal olfactory effects, and less interaction with other additives. The process aid can help increase film line yield and eliminate melt-fracture, leading to a film with excellent clarity, limited haze, high gloss, and robust tear and puncture resistance, all of which are highly important in the food packaging industry.

Viton® FreeFlow™ Z200 and its sister product Viton® FreeFlow™ Z100, represented a major breakthrough in process aid technology when they were introduced to the plastics industry in 2002. Both products have become established in many food and non-food contact applications such as trash bags, tape extrusion, wire and cable coatings where process efficiency, good visual appearance, and strength and toughness are required.

About DuPont Performance Elastomers

DuPont Performance Elastomers, a global supplier of specialty elastomers with headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, USA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont. The company is an industry leader in chloroelastomers and fluorinated elastomers, serving the automotive, chemical, petrochemical, semiconductor, food and pharmaceutical processing, construction, general rubber and wire and cable industries.

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Viton® and Viton® FreeFlow™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont Performance Elastomers

09 ELAS 06-US
June 2006

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Caption:
DuPont Performance Elastomers Viton® FreeFlow™ Z200 fluoroelastomer process aid has received food contact approval in compliance with European Directive 2002/72/EC for use in finished film-type food packaging materials.

High-resolution images available on line at plastics.dupont.com.

Reader enquiries should be directed to (US) 800-853—5515 or www.dupontelastomers.com