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Flexible hoses for liquids suitable for food use

Flexible hoses suitable for the passage of food liquids such as: milk and dairy products, wine and spirits and derivatives.

Pipes suitable and certifiable according to ITALIAN, EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN REGULATIONS.

In WHITE NATURAL RUBBER, THERMOPLASTICS, POLYURETHANE, FLUORODERIVATIVES.

ATTENTION!

In the food and beverage sector, one of the most critical aspects to consider when choosing a tubing is undoubtedly the cleaning and sterilization process. This can be chemical ( CIP : cleaning-in-place) or thermal ( SIP : sterilization-in-place), i.e., through the use of steam.

In particular, with regards to CIP processes , the following are normally used:

basic solutions (e.g. caustic soda) for the removal of fatty and protein particles;
acidic solutions (e.g. phosphoric acid) for the removal of mineral deposits;
oxidizing acids or other oxidizing products (nitric acid, peracetic acid, chlorine solution, hydrogen peroxide) for the removal of bacterial load.

The use of the SIP process aims to eliminate the bacterial load.

Tube selection & sterilization

Cleaning and sterilization operations are among the main factors responsible for the aging process of the materials present in the flexible hose structure, due to chemical attack and thermal stress, which lead to a progressive degradation of the physical and mechanical properties. For this reason, they become fundamental parameters to consider for a complete evaluation of the hose's suitability for a given application.
In fact, in most cases, the conveyed food product is less problematic than the cleaning process, which is chemically more aggressive and can significantly affect the life of the pipe in use.
It's common practice for companies working in the food industry to have defined and consolidated very specific cleaning and sterilization procedures that best suit their production systems. The purpose of this communication is solely to provide guidelines to help guide the selection of the most suitable polymer for the application.

Sterilization Technical Specifications

Below are the most common situations.

Cleaning agent	Type of rubber	Concentration	Temperature
Hot water	EPDM, Butyl, NBR, Silicone, PFA, PTFE		Up to 95°C
	TPE		Up to 90°C
	NR, NR/SBR, TPU		Up to 50°C
Steam	NR/SBR, NR		100°C max 10'
	NBR, EPDM, Butyl		130°C max 30'
	SILICONE		135°C max 30'
	UPE		100°C max 20'
	PFA/PTFE		130°C 30'
	TPU		Not suitable
	TPE		120°C 10'
Caustic soda	NBR, NR, NR/SBR, Silicone, TPU	1%	80°C
	EPDM, Butyl, TPE, UPE	3%	80°C
	PFA, PTFE	3%	80°C
Nitric/phosphoric/peracetic acid	NR, NR/SBR, NBR, TPU	1%	Only at Ta followed by washing with Ta water
	EPDM, Butyl, TPE, Silicone, UPE	1%	Ta
	EPDM, Butyl, TPE, Silicone, UPE	0.5%	80°C
	PFA/PTFE	3%	80°C
Hydrochloric acid, hypochlorite	NR, NR/SBR, NBR, TPU	200 ppm	Only at Ta followed by washing with Ta water
	EPDM, Butyl, TPE, Silicone, UPE	200 ppm	80°C max 20'
	PFA/PTFE	200 ppm	80°C max 30'

Further considerations

It should also be noted that the frequency of washing, increased variations in the percentage of chemical solution compared to those recommended, or an increase in the duration of the sanitization process can significantly reduce the life of the pipe.

For proper maintenance, we also recommend periodic inspections to verify the physical and mechanical condition of the pipe. For further information, please contact our technical office .