When it comes to food, Freudenberg wants to be sure that its sealing materials are free of harmful substances.

In the food processing industry, in order to guarantee food safety, both the food and the hardware that come into contact with it must meet particularly stringent criteria. These guidelines also apply to sealing materials.

picture of food processing plantIn China, specific standards were created in 2016 with the two standards GB 4806 and GB 9685, which deviate from the existing relevant American and European regulations for food-grade materials. To meet the stringent Chinese regulations, FST has now successfully tested two proven VMQ materials: 70 VMQ 117055 and 60 VMQ 117117 for their conformity with Chinese guidelines.

The Chinese standard GB 9685 specifies which ingredients may contain materials that come into contact with food in a so-called positive list. A large number of seal-relevant ingredients that conform to 21 CFR 177.2600 of FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) and European EU (Reg.) 1935/2004 are not listed here. This applies to elastomers. For a global food release, new material compositions must therefore be developed or proven materials tested for their conformity with the specifications.

Global food approvals require extensive testing

The basic requirements for gasket materials as well as sensory tests and migration tests are defined in standard GB 4806. Two of Freudenberg's newly developed EPDM materials have successfully passed the tests: 75 EPDM 386 and 85 EPDM 387. 

After extensive testing, FST's two new VMQ materials now meet the requirements of the Chinese standards. As an example: the silicones in the migration measurement in mg/dm2 had a result of <1, and are far below the specified limit of ≤10.

In addition to the EPDM materials which are characterized by media resistance, good processing behavior and a long service life, FST's new silicones, 70 VMQ 117055 and 60 VMQ 117117 provide grease-resistant material selection for use in contact with food in the Chinese market.


Gallagher Fluid Seals is a preferred distributor of Freudenberg sealing. For information about Fruedenberg, or if you have needs for a custom solution, contact our engineering department.

The original article or press release can be found on Freudenberg's website.