Food-safe 3D printing for applications with food contact

It is important that 3D printing can be offered in accordance to the requirmements of the FDA and/or EU directive 10/2011. igus® has a range of 3D printing materials that are. Not only that, they are up to 50 times more abrasion-resistant than commonly used 3D printed plastics. 3D printing in igus® materials means that the parts can be used as moving parts and as no lubrication is required, thanks to the integrated solid lubricants, these are not only cost -effective but can be produced quickly.

Would you like more information about the our 3D printing or do you need an individual consultation? Our experts will be happy to get in touch with you.

Contact an expert

Upload 3D model as STEP file and get prices without any commitment to buy

► Upload doesn't work? Click here to start the upload directly in the 3D printing service tool.

Load file into the online 3D printing service

Order abrasion-resistant parts from the 3D printing service or print them yourself

Laser sintering with iglidur® I6

Can be used in numerous industries
Max. application temperature: +80°C
Extremely abrasion-resistant: e.g. at least 9 times more abrasion-resistant than PA12 (SLS) in rotation test
Excellent sliding properties
No minimum order quantity
Great strength

Find out more

iglidur® I150: the all-rounder filament

Compliant with food-specific regulations according to EU 10/2011
Can be processed on all regular 3D printers
The most frequently used tribo-filament with very good mechanical properties (strength, resilience, layer adhesion)
max permanent application temperature of 65°C

Find out more

iglidur® I151: visually detectable

Compliant with food-specific regulations according to EU 10/2011 and the FDA
Blue colour for optical detectability
Can be processed on all commercial printers
Printed in the 3D printing service within three days
Ideal for food & packaging industry
Processed as easily as standard PLA and PETG filaments.

Find out more

Heat-resistant: iglidur® A350

Compliant with food-specific regulations according to EU 10/2011 and the FDA.
Temperature-resistant up to 180°C, fire-retardant according to UL94-V0
Suitable for steam sterilisation
High-temperature 3D printer required

Find out more

iglidur® I6: Highly abrasive-resistant

Food-safe according to FDA
Excellent abrasion resistance
Very robust
Accurate surface details.
Ideal for worm wheels
Available in blue

Find out more

iglidur® i6-BLUE

Laser sintering material
Blue colour for optical detectability
Good sliding properties
Printed in five days with the 3D printing service
No minimum order quantity
ideal for gears

Find out more

Manufacture food-safe components with commercially available 3D printers

iglidur®I150

iglidur® I150 is the easiest to process tribo-filament® - it is suitable for all commercially available 3D printers and can be processed just as easily as regular filaments such as PLA and PETG. Thanks to compliance with EU 10/2011, iglidur® I150 is suitable for contact with food and is accordingly proving itself in applications in the food and packaging industry. The only restrictions are in the maximum permanent application temperature of 65°C and for highly dynamic applications. iglidur® I150 is also available on 8kg filament reels and is therefore suitable for the manufacture of large components in large-scale printers.

iglidur® i150 in the shop

Heat-resistant and food-safe

iglidur® A350

The abrasion-resistant high-temperature tribo-filament iglidur® A350 was specially developed for the food and packaging industry. The raw material is compliant with EU 10/2011 and FDA food-contact regulations and is blue all the way through for reasons of detectability. Printed parts made of iglidur® A350 are temperature-resistant up to 180°C, are flame-retardant in accordance with UL94-V0 and can also be sterilised with hot steam. Due to its high processing temperature of 340-360°C as well as a mandatory build chamber temperature of min. 160°C, a high-temperature 3D printer is required for processing. If no such a printer is available for use, wear-resistant parts made of iglidur® A350 can be manufactured quickly and cost-effectively in the igus® 3D printing service .
iglidur® A350 in the online shop

iglidur® A350 in the shop

Further solutions for food contact

Energy chain developed according to hygienic design guidelines

The easy-to-clean TH3 energy chain for cables is FDA-compliant and is blue, which is the typical colour for plastic elements used in the food industry. It is especially resistant to aggressive cleaning agents and chemicals, which makes it ideal for use in the food and beverages industry.

Find out more

Low-friction liner for food contact

The low friction tribo-tape liner is designed for the versatile lining of tribologically challenged surfaces and shapes, for optimising movement within machine beds, etc. At a thickness of only 0.5 - 1mm (including the adhesive tape + 0.15mm), very little space is needed. The tape is easily fabricated - simply cut with a pair of scissors - and the optional self-adhesive liner tapes give almost unlimited possibilities. The liner is food-safe in accordance with FDA requirements.

More about food-safe liners

Flanged bearings for food contact

The iglidur® A181 material is compliant with FDA regulations and also conforms with 10/2011 EU. The blue colour also facilitates the often required 'optical detectability' in the food industry. Plain bearings made of iglidur® A181 are available with or without flange.

Find out more about FDA bearings

Further plastic solutions for food contact

In order to comply with the strict requirements regarding food hygiene and food safety in all stages of a process, igus supplies you with a large range of polymer solutions for food-processing machines and equipment. We supply different kinds of bearings, energy chains, cables, linear guides, lead screw guides as well as bar stock and 3D printing materials for the tool-free manufacture of special parts. As our machine components have been specially developed for moving applications and do not require any lubrication, product contamination is ruled out completely.

Find more FDA approved products

Food-safe guide rollers

Knife edge rollers are used as guide rollers in conveyor belts, for example. The new material iglidur® A250 was specifically developed for use in knife edge rollers for the food industry and is FDA and EU10/2011 compliant.

Find out more about iglidur® rollers

Frequently asked questions about 3D printing with food-grade plastics

What does food grade mean in relation to plastics?
It means that the material coming into contact with food has been tested for a possible transfer of particles of the plastic to the food, whereby a defined limit value has not been exceeded. On the European market, the requirements for plastics to achieve food conformity are regulated by EU Regulation 10/2011, in the U.S. by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration).

Do you need a special 3D printer to produce food-safe components?
Before and during printing, the food-grade material must be protected from dust. We therefore recommend an enclosed installation space.

How can you tell if a material is really food safe?
If a material meets the requirements for food conformity according to the EU standard 10/2011 or the specifications of the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration), it is confirmed by a declaration of conformity. The specifications for the use of the respective substance are noted there.

Click here for more FAQ's

Country/Region

By selecting your country you will be shown local offers and information.

Please choose your delivery location

Food-safe 3D printing for applications with food contact

Upload 3D model as STEP file and get prices without any commitment to buy