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Industry challenges

What Food Processing & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Demands

In food and pharmaceutical production, the rubber component is not just a seal or a hose — it is a potential contamination source. Every material that contacts the product or the product environment must be selected, documented, and traceable. Compound selection for food and pharma applications is a regulatory requirement, not just an engineering preference.

FDA and regulatory compliance

Rubber components in direct food contact must comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 or equivalent EU regulations. The compliance status is determined by the compound formulation — not the physical form. Only specific formulations within each compound type are food grade.

CIP and SIP cleaning resistance

Food and pharmaceutical equipment is regularly cleaned in place (CIP) with hot water, steam, caustic agents, and sanitisers, or sterilised in place (SIP) with steam at 121°C or above. Rubber components must withstand these protocols without degrading or leaching.

Material traceability and certification

Pharmaceutical supply chains require full material traceability — certificate of conformity, compound batch number, and FDA compliance statement. Our ISO 9001 quality management system supports this documentation at every supply batch.

Hygienic design and cleanability

Food processing rubber components must not trap product residues. Smooth surfaces, absence of crevices, and correct durometer specification all contribute to cleanability. Design review at the specification stage is part of our supply process.

Application Areas

Food & Pharmaceutical Applications

URM food grade rubber components are specified across the food processing chain and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments — wherever rubber contacts the product, product environment, or cleaning media.

Food Processing Equipment

FDA silicone door seals, conveyor belt edge seals, and equipment gaskets for food processing lines. Resists high-temperature wash cycles, steam cleaning, and common food industry sanitisers.

Dairy & Liquid Food

Silicone and food grade EPDM hoses for dairy fluid transfer — milk, cream, whey, and dairy by-products. Smooth bore, low extractables, and compliance with dairy hygiene regulations.

Beverage Processing

FDA hoses and sealing components for beer, wine, juice, and spirits processing. Compatible with cleaning agents and product acids. Food grade silicone standard for direct product contact.

Oven & High-Temperature Sealing

Silicone D-seals and perimeter seals for industrial and commercial ovens, autoclave doors, and heat treatment equipment. Continuous service to +200°C.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

High-purity silicone hoses, gaskets, and sealing profiles for pharmaceutical production equipment. Supplied with material certification, FDA compliance statements, and compound batch traceability.

Laboratory & Cleanroom

Food grade and pharmaceutical silicone components for laboratory equipment, cleanroom access door sealing, and biological containment equipment.

Cosmetics & Personal Care

FDA-compliant rubber components for cosmetics manufacturing equipment — mixing vessels, filling lines, and process pipe sealing.

Grain & Dry Food Processing

Rubber sealing profiles and screen balls for grain processing, milling, and dry food sorting equipment. Food contact grades where the rubber contacts product.

Food & Pharmaceutical - URM
Why Choose URM?

Why Food and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Choose URM

1. FDA compound expertise

We specify the correct FDA-compliant compound formulation for your application — not just any silicone. The grade, cure system, and colour are all determined by the application requirements and regulatory framework.

2. Material traceability and certification

FDA compliance documentation, material certificates with compound batch numbers, and certificate of conformity are provided with every food grade delivery. Supports your QA documentation and audit requirements.

3. ISO 9001 certified quality system

Our ISO 9001 quality management system provides batch-level control, dimensional consistency, and documentation that food and pharmaceutical supply chains require — as standard, not on request.

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4. CIP/SIP resistant compounds

Food grade silicone from URM is specified for resistance to steam cleaning, caustic cleaning agents, and common food industry sanitisers. Cleaning resistance is confirmed at the compound selection stage.

5. Bespoke geometries for equipment

Food processing equipment often requires sealing profiles specific to the machine geometry. We produce custom silicone cross-sections from your drawings and hold tooling for repeat production throughout the equipment’s commercial life.

6. Belgium-based European supply

Headquartered in Belgium since 1935 with fast EU delivery. Well-positioned for European food and pharmaceutical manufacturers and equipment OEMs. Reliable supply for production scheduling and maintenance requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Food & Pharmaceutical - Rubber components FAQ

1 What does FDA-compliant rubber mean for food processing?

FDA-compliant rubber means the rubber compound formulation meets the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 — the US Food & Drug Administration regulation governing rubber articles intended for repeated food contact. The compliance is a property of the compound formulation, not the physical product — not all silicone, EPDM, or NBR is food grade. Only specific formulations using approved ingredients are FDA compliant. URM specifies and documents the correct FDA-compliant formulation for your application.

2 Which rubber compound is best for food processing equipment sealing?

Silicone (VMQ) is the primary choice for food contact sealing — it is FDA-compliant in food grade formulations, withstands steam cleaning and high-temperature wash cycles, has a service temperature from −60°C to +200°C, and is available in translucent and white grades that support visual contamination inspection. FDA-compliant EPDM is an alternative for lower-temperature applications. FDA nitrile (NBR) is used where oil or fat contact is a primary requirement.

3 Are your food grade silicone hoses suitable for dairy applications?

Yes. URM supplies FDA-compliant silicone hoses in smooth-bore construction suitable for dairy fluid transfer — milk, cream, whey, and processed dairy products. Silicone's chemical resistance to dairy cleaning agents, low extractables, and temperature range make it the standard specification for dairy fluid transfer hoses. Please provide the fluid type, operating temperature, pressure, and bore diameter when requesting a quote.

4 What documentation do you provide with food grade rubber components?

For food grade and pharmaceutical rubber components, URM provides a material certificate with compound identification and batch number, a declaration of compliance with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, and dimensional inspection documentation. For pharmaceutical applications requiring additional documentation, please discuss your requirements at the quotation stage.

5 Can silicone food grade components withstand CIP cleaning?

Yes — food grade silicone is resistant to CIP protocols including hot water rinse, caustic wash, and sanitiser rinse stages. The compound is also resistant to SIP steam sterilisation at temperatures up to 135°C for standard food grade silicone, and higher for specialist pharmaceutical grades. Cleaning resistance is confirmed during the compound selection stage.

6 Do you supply rubber components for pharmaceutical cleanroom applications?

Yes. For pharmaceutical cleanroom applications, we supply high-purity silicone components formulated for low extractables and leachables — relevant for cleanroom equipment, bioreactor sealing, and clean utility systems. Please describe your compliance requirements (GMP, EU Annex 1, USP Class VI, etc.) and we will confirm the appropriate compound and documentation approach.

URM

Specify food grade rubber components for your process

Tell us your application — fluid, temperature, regulatory compliance requirement, and component geometry. Our engineering team will specify the correct FDA-compliant compound and respond with a proposal for supply with full traceability documentation.

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