FABULOUS, a French company known for its innovative 3D printing materials, is making a significant move into the North American market. Renowned for their high-quality, certified, food-safe polymer powders, FABULOUS aims to capitalize on its success in Europe by offering its products to a broader audience.
Food-safe Materials in 3D Printing
3D printing technology is increasingly being used across various industries, including the food sector. This includes not just edible 3D-printed products but also objects that come into direct contact with food, such as food nozzles, grippers, scrappers, plates, cutlery, and packaging materials. To ensure consumer safety, these items must adhere to stringent regulations set by relevant authorities.
In the EU, Directive 10/2011 governs the certification of polymer materials as food-safe. In the United States, the FDA regulates food safety materials and procedures under CFR Title 21. The regulations differ slightly between regions, and the approval process varies depending on the material and its processing method.
Challenges with Traditional Materials
While PLA and PETG are considered food-safe by the FDA, they pose contamination risks when processed using FDM due to potential contact with nozzles and hoses. SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) 3D printing, however, mitigates this issue, making it more suitable for processing food-safe materials. Despite this, the available materials like PA11 and PA12 offer limited certified options that are genuinely safe for end users.
FABULOUS’s PA11-based Solutions
FABULOUS has carved a niche in the market with its PA11-based materials, which are certified as food-safe and have enjoyed significant success in Europe. PA11, derived from biological sources and recyclable, is gaining popularity for its eco-friendly properties and compliance with stringent safety standards. In contrast, PA12, which is petroleum-based and contains non-compliant additives like titanium dioxide, does not meet FDA requirements for 3D printed parts.
Key Products and Innovations
FABULOUS’s flagship products, BLUE CARE and DETECT, have been pivotal in their European success. These materials are used in safety plastic parts across various industries, enabling the detection of foreign bodies in food due to their distinct blue color. Both materials are bio-based, developed from natural raw materials, and do not contain additives or organic pigments, ensuring their food-contact certification in both Europe and the USA.
Certification and Compliance
Both BLUE CARE and DETECT materials are certified food-safe according to EU regulations (EU /2011 – 1935/2004) and the FDA CFR 21 in the USA, the highest food contact certification standards applicable in these regions.
