Manufacturers in food, pharmaceutical, and other processing industries are facing increasing demands to improve product safety and minimise the risk of contamination. A recent technical paper from Eriez, Detectable Plastics and Rubber: A Game-Changer in Contamination Prevention, examines how detectable plastics can play a key role in reducing the risk of plastic and rubber contamination in production environments.

John Collins, PolyMag Additives Manager at Eriez and author of the paper, highlights the significant financial and reputational risks posed by contamination incidents. According to Collins, product recalls due to plastic or rubber contamination can cost manufacturers an average of $10 million per incident, in addition to potential damage to brand credibility.

The technical paper outlines how detectable plastics, such as Eriez’s PolyMag Additives, can be incorporated into a wide range of components commonly used in processing and packaging operations. These additives enable plastic and rubber parts to be identified by standard metal detectors and X-ray inspection systems, supporting compliance with regulations such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

PolyMag Additives can be used in conveyor belts, cable ties, machine parts, packaging materials, and various plant equipment, including scoops, scrapers, safety wear, and cleaning tools. Manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), the additives meet both U.S. FDA and EU food contact regulations.

Research cited in the Eriez technical paper forecasts continued growth in the detectable plastics sector, with the market projected to reach a value of $2.1 billion by 2030. The increasing use of detectable plastics is driven by regulatory requirements, technological innovation, and their role in reducing contamination risks across processing industries.

Further details and access to the technical paper are available from Eriez at: https://www.eriez.com/Americas/Products/Metal-Detection/PolyMag.htm.

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