DuPont Develops New Conveyor Belt for Food with Esbelt

A recent collaboration between DuPont Performance Materials and Spanish conveyor equipment maker Esbelt resulted in a new conveyor belt for the food industry that uses a DuPont thermoplastic elastomer to improve metal and x-ray food contamination detectability.

DuPont’s Hytrel TPC-ET thermoplastic elastomer is heat- and chemical-resistant flexible copolyester that, according to the company, offers lower power demands from its light weight, quiet operations, and low lubrication and maintenance frequency.

“Hytrel is one of the most effective options we offer for flexible conveyor belts. It lasts longer, allows higher flexible strength and is more resistant to potential tear than those made with TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane),” said Franco Marabelli, global business consultant of DuPont Performance Materials’ Development Material Handling unit, in a statement. “With Hytrel, Esbelt was able to produce a superior conveyor belt allowing for both x-ray and metal detection, which helped reduce the risk of particle contamination.”

Esbelt said the new conveyor system chalks up to regulations and has already been tested in major food processing environments.

“Our partnership with DuPont adheres to regulatory requirements, brand reputation, and consumer protection needs to ensure the products are of the highest quality throughout the manufacturing process. It has been tested and approved by major food processors in the U.S. This new conveyor belt will be able to control the quality of the product on the belt through both metal and x-ray detection and ensure products of the highest quality, while enhancing the ability of food manufacturers to demonstrate due diligence,” said Frederico Segura, managing director of the Spanish company.

DuPont develops a range of food contact materials, with what it calls the “industry’s most extensive” portfolio of engineering thermoplastic portfolio that adheres to both European Food Contact and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety regulations. DuPont has also tested products with Mettler Toledo, a leading weighing, analytical, and inspection solutions provider.

The sales head and market manager of Mettler Toledo’s Safeline X-Ray Inspection unit, Paul King, said of the DuPont/Esbelt conveyor belt: “This is a great new development for the inspection system industry. The combined approach of both metal and x-ray detection will ensure that all reasonable precautions were taken to identify any physical contaminants.”