BfR Food Contact Silicone Sheeting & Uncured Compounds
BfR food contact silicone from ElastaPro meets BfR Recommendation XV for food contact applications. This food grade silicone is manufactured under an ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 certified quality system and is available as both solid silicone sheet and uncured silicone compound.
BfR Recommendation XV was issued by Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, BfR) and defines requirements for silicones used in food contact applications. It covers permitted raw materials, migration limits, and testing protocols.
This guideline supplements EFSA Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 for food contact materials (FCMs) by specifying extraction test conditions (e.g., test stimulants like 10% ethanol and 3% acetic acid) and cured elastomer properties.
Because BfR Recommendation XV strictly limits extractables, ElastaPro’s BfR food safe silicones are platinum-cured instead of platinum-cured.
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Request a Quote (RFQ)BfR Food Contact Silicone Sheet
BfR food contact silicone sheet is used in sealing and gasketing applications. This food grade silicone provides these and other advantages.
- Dimensional stability: Sheets maintain thickness and hardness under compression
- Wide range of sizes: Available in standard dimensions (e.g., 36” x 36”), custom sizes, and thicknesses from 0.007” to 0.500”.
- Industry-leading widths: Up to 62”, one of the widest available in the industry.
- Performance metrics: Tensile strength ranges from 700–1100 psi, elongation from 200–700%, and tear resistance from 20–35 ppi.
Applications for this this solid silicone sheet include:
- Gaskets for food processing equipment
- Baking mats and conveyor belt covers
- Pharmaceutical seals and diaphragms
BfR Food Contact Silicone Rolls
For high-volume production, continuous silicone rolls can be used. Rolls offer:
- Processing efficiency: Master rolls can be slit to width and laminated with pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs)
- Consistency: Continuous rolls reduce waste and improve throughput in automated manufacturing.
Applications for these silicone rolls include:
- Conveyor belt linings
- Large-scale gasketing operations
- Industrial food processing systems
BfR Food Contact Silicone Compound
BfR food contact silicone compound provide engineers with design flexibility. These materials are:
- Catalyzed and ready for processing
- Suitable for molding, calendering, and extrusion
- Compatible with robotic dispensing systems
Uncured silicone compound allows engineers to create custom geometries and integrate silicone into complex assemblies. Applications include:
- Tubing and extrusions for beverage systems
- Molded seals and diaphragms
- Coatings for substrates requiring food-safe barriers
BfR Food Safe Silicone Durometers
Durometer (hardness) is a critical property during material selection. ElastaPro offers BfR food contact silicone in durometers from 10 to 80 Shore A:
- 10 Shore A: Extremely soft, flexible, and compressible
- 30–50 Shore A: Balanced flexibility and strength, ideal for seals and gaskets
- 70–80 Shore A: Rigid and durable, suitable for structural applications
Consider the following during material selection.
- Softer grades are better for dynamic seals requiring flexibility
- Harder grades provide rigidity and wear resistance
- Matching durometer to application ensures optimal performance and longevity
BfR Food Contact Silicone Colors
Color is more than aesthetics. It can also serve functional and compliance purposes. ElastaPro offers BfR-compliant silicone in the following colors.
- White and translucent: Most popular for hygienic environments
- Red, green, blue, gray: Used for color coding, product differentiation, or visibility in processing lines
- Custom color matching: Available to align with product branding or system requirements
Applications for various silicone colors include:
- Color-coded gaskets for quick identification
- Visible seals in food processing equipment
- Custom branding in consumer-facing products
Colors help engineers design systems that are both functional and user-friendly.
Compliance: Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004
BfR-compliant silicones meet the requirements of BfR Recommendation XV, which provides guidance specific to silicones used in food contact applications. It covers:
- Permitted raw materials and additives
- Migration limits for volatile and extractable substances
- Testing protocols for thermal stability and repeated-use compliance
BfR XV vs. FDA 21 CFR 177.2600: A Technical Comparison for Food-Grade Silicone
The table below provides an overview. Read this article to learn more.
| Feature | Bfr Recommendation XV (Europe) | FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 (United States) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Regulator | German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung) | U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| Geographic Scope | Germany / Adopted as de facto standard across Europe & EU | United States / Globally recognized base standard |
| Scope of Material | Specifically covers Silicones (Elastomers, Resins, & Fluid-treated articles) | Covers Rubber articles intended for repeated use (includes natural and synthetic rubbers) |
| Primary Curing System | Strongly favors Platinum-Cured (Addition-Cure) silicone to meet strict volatile limits | Accepts both Platinum-Cured and Peroxide-Cured silicone (if compliant with post-cure limits) |
| Volatile Organic Matter (VOM) | Strict Limit: Volatile organic components must be < 0.5% | No direct VOM test; governed by total extractable fraction limits |
| Extraction Testing Focus | Peroxide-cured silicones must show no detectable residual peroxide or decomposition products | Peroxide agents are permitted if listed under 21 CFR 177.2600(c)(4)(vi) and properly post-cured |
| Regulatory Philosophy | Positive List + Migration/Purity Limits: Strict limits on finished product extractables & volatiles | Positive List + Extraction Limits: Strict rules on allowed raw ingredients & max total extractables |
Ask ElastaPro for BfR Food Safe Silicone
BfR food contact silicone is a compliance-critical engineering material that combines performance with versatility.
- Sheets: Ready-to-use, available in wide sizes and thicknesses
- Rolls: Efficient for high-volume production
- Compounds: Flexible for molding and extrusion
- Durometers: Range from soft (10 Shore A) to rigid (80 Shore A)
- Colors: White, translucent, red, green, blue, gray, plus custom options
By understanding these forms and properties, engineers can design systems that are safe, efficient, and optimized for performance in food, beverage, and dairy industries.
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