Plastics for Bakery and Confectionery

Plastics see use in many aspects of the bakery industry. In the manufacturing process, several materials are used in the various machines and systems:

• UHMW's chemical resistance, wear resistance, and low coefficient of friction make it a versatile plastic that's used as part of conveyor belts, guides, and chutes to help move bakery products through the baking process.
• PTFE's non-stick properties, chemical resistance, and heat resistance make it exceptionally well-suited to baking. Release sheets that transfer baked products from one surface to the next are made from PTFE, and it sees use in non-stick coatings for ovens, sheets and molds.
• Acetal is a lightweight material with great mechanical strength and wear resistance. These properties allow it to serve as long-lasting parts in connveyor belts.
• Polyurethane is flexible, durable, and has excellent wear and tear resistance. Its flexibility allows it to be used for belts that fit machines of all sizes and shapes.

Outside of the manufacturing process, plastics such as polycarbonate and acrylic are used for commercial display stands in bakeries and HDPE makes up a significant amount of cutting boards.

Materials for bakeries fall under NAICS #311811, 311812, 311821, and 333241 as well as SIC #2045, 2051, and 3556.

• [Acetal Datasheet]
• [Acrylic Datasheet]
• [HDPE Datasheet]
• [Nylon Datasheet]
• [Renovo-MPC^™ Datasheet]
• [Polycarbonate Datasheet]
• [PTFE Datasheet]
• [UHMW Datasheet]

A variety of food grade plastics are available for use in the baking industry. From LDPE, PET, and polypropylene packaging to UHMW, nylon, and acetal parts for conveyor belt systems, plastics are used throughout the baking and bakery manufacturing process. In commercial bakeries, HDPE cutting boards provide a longer-lasting and more easily cleaned alternative to wooden butcher blocks, while plastics such as polycarbonate and acrylic are used in commercial display stands to hold and showcase baked goods.

The FDA does allow certain types of plastic, known as "food grade," FDA compliant, or food-safe plastics to come into contact with food. These plastics include UHMW, PEEK, PPS, PET, PTFE, HDPE, acetal, natural nylon, and polypropylene.

Polypropylene, PP, or reycling number 5, is a FDA-approved plastic that is safe for food contact. Polypropylene is BPA-free and has excellent chemical and moisture resistance. It's typically used in the food industry for food containers and jugs.

The most common plastics used in food packaging include PET, HDPE/LDPE, PVC, polypropylene, and polystyrene.