Rubber for the Food Industry
Our role in the food industry
The food industry achieved a revenue of £6.47 trillion in 2022 and is expected to increase every year by 5.03%. As a lean and agile manufacturer, we can relate to these challenges consumer-driven businesses are exposed to. We have supplied quality rubber and silicone components across the entire food industry from equipment manufacturers to food processing customers in the United Kingdom for decades.
What rubber is commonly used in the food industry?
Silicone rubbers are most commonly used in the food industry for processing and packaging. Machine parts and gaskets are the main products or components needed. Silicone rubbers are often one or two-part polymers and may contain fillers to improve properties or reduce cost. Silicone rubber is generally non-reactive, stable and a great preventer of food contamination. It is also incredibly resistant to extreme environments and temperatures from -55 to 300 °C (-70 to 570 °F) while still maintaining its useful properties. Due to these properties and its ease of manufacturing and shaping, silicone rubber can be found in a wide variety of products, used in cooking, baking, and food storage.
- Easy to manufacturer
- Non-toxic and odourless – making food consumption safe
- Non-reactive and prevents food contamination
- Water repellent
- Retains its shape when stretched
- Can withstand harsh conditions
Rubber applications for the food industry
Rubber, especially silicone, is extremely common within the food industry, particularly for these applications:
- Nonslip rubber matting for Kitchens and food processing plants
- Standard & Bespoke Extrusions for food processing-based appliances
- Standard & Bespoke Gaskets for food processing-based appliances
- Standard & Bespoke Tubing for food processing-based appliances
- Rubber Seals for liquid processing-based appliances
- Grease-proof and non-toxic rubber sheeting
FDA approved rubber
The food industry is heavily regulated to the point where every piece of equipment or substance that is used must be approved. Consumers must be protected to avoid any form of casualty as busineses are liable and can face litigation. Food grade rubber is commonly referred to as being FDA approved (the USA's Food & Drug Administration) but there are a number of other approval authorities and regulatory bodies in the UK and Europe including BfR (German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment), UK WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) as well as EC Food Safety regulations and we supply products manufactured from materials that comply with all of them.
Rubber applications for the food industry
Rubber, especially silicone, is extremely common within the food industry, particularly for these applications:
- Nonslip rubber matting for Kitchens and food processing plants
- Standard & Bespoke Extrusions for food processing-based appliances
- Standard & Bespoke Gaskets for food processing-based appliances
- Standard & Bespoke Tubing for food processing-based appliances
- Rubber Seals for liquid processing-based appliances
- Grease-proof and non-toxic rubber sheeting
FDA approved rubber
The food industry is heavily regulated to the point where every piece of equipment or substance that is used must be approved. Consumers must be protected to avoid any form of casualty as busineses are liable and can face litigation. Food grade rubber is commonly referred to as being FDA approved (the USA's Food & Drug Administration) but there are a number of other approval authorities and regulatory bodies in the UK and Europe including BfR (German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment), UK WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) as well as EC Food Safety regulations and we supply products manufactured from materials that comply with all of them.
FoodFDA approved seals and gaskets
FDA approved seals are a must in the food industry. Silicone rubber is FDA compliant whilst also being heavily resistant against high and low temperature changes, oil and gas, chemical exposure and is also completely non-toxic. Walker Rubber understands the laws and regulations the food industry must abide by, and the scrutiny companies and organisations are held under. Our many decades of experience in this industry has enabled us to work with various businesses that must adhere to these strict guidelines.
View our Food Grade Seals View Our Food Grade GasketsDid you know...?
We have developed a strong reputation for service and quality. Our devoted work ethic caught the eye of several international and UK based food processing equipment manufacturers who were indeed of some gaskets and seals. We answered the call and supplied these world-renowned companies. Their loyalty to us is highly prized and our willingness ‘to go the extra mile' is a phrase we often hear from them.
The Walker Rubber Difference
Delivery
Rubber products manufactured to order with industry leading turnaround times.
Support
Not quite sure what you need? Our team are on hand to provide fast, high-quality expertise with years of experience to back it up.
Service
Your journey with us starts in sales. Like our exceptional manufacturing lead times, our sales team is no different. They will guide you through the process every step of the way. We are proud to say 90% of enquiries are quoted on the same day ensuring there is no delay in getting your project with us underway.
Quality
With our right first-time ethos, combined with only using premium materials from trusted sources, the quality of our rubber products are the best in the business.
Our Capabilities
Extrusion
We are experts in the manufacture of rubber extrusions. Our limitations are very small we can produce extrusions from 1m to 10,000m in length or 1mm to 300mm across.
Rubber Extrusions
Gaskets
Our selection of cutting machinery enables us to be accurate and precise, meeting the required specifications for our customers.
Rubber Gaskets
Mouldings
Most moulding requirements are unique to each customer. We supply a comprehensive range of mouldings in a variety of compounds: EPDM, Neoprene, Natural, Nitrile Silicone, Viton, Polyurethane and TPE.
Rubber Mouldings
Bonding
One of our more unique capabilities. We can bond together multiple types of rubber sheet to create your ideal material.
Rubber Bonding
Tooling
We have the capability to manufacture tooling inhouse, turning your ideas into reality with a short but cost-effective turnaround
Rubber Tooling