Sculpteo launches PA12 Blue SLS material compliant with food industry standards

In its first announcement since BASF spun out the Forward AM division (of which it used to be part of), French 3D printing service provider Sculpteo launched PA12 Blue food grade, an innovative plastic material designed to meet the requirements of industrial environments where hygiene, traceability, and safety are priorities. This high-performance polyamide is designed for critical applications and combines robustness, reliability, and compliance with European food safety standards, particularly Regulation EC 1935/2004 and EC Directive No 2023/2006.

PA12 Blue from Sculpteo stands out for its bright color, facilitating the rapid identification of residual fragments during quality controls. This choice of colour serves a purpose: blue, rarely present in natural foods, makes it easy to spot any accidental contamination, thereby reducing risks for the food production chain. This material helps strengthen product safety while simplifying quality control processes.

Manufactured using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology, PA12 Blue is characterised by excellent mechanical performance. It offers increased resistance to wear and tear, shocks, and thermal stresses and has high dimensional stability. Its compatibility with intensive cleaning environments, particularly due to its resistance to chemical agents, makes it a material of choice for industries subject to strict hygiene protocols.

In addition to its raw version, PA12 Blue can be improved with chemical smoothing, making the surface finish smoother and more watertight. This characteristic is necessary in environments where cleanliness and ease of cleaning are major concerns, such as the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries.

Although originally developed for food-related uses, PA12 Blue possesses technical characteristics that make it suitable for various industrial applications. It is used in components for processing equipment such as gears, cutting guides, and conveyor parts subject to intensive use.

The material is also ideal for containers and storage devices, offering robust and easy-to-disinfect solutions well-suited for demanding environments. Additionally, PA12 Blue is used to produce custom tools, including industrial molds, assembly jigs, and specific handling tools designed for controlled environments. It also plays a role in industrial safety equipment, with its visually identifiable elements aiding in inspections and preventive maintenance operations. All of these applications reflect a strong commitment to quality control, health, and safety.

By offering materials that combine technical performance and regulatory compliance, Sculpteo supports companies in optimising their production processes while adhering to high standards of quality, health and safety.