Table of Contents:
What is silicone ?
Silicone is a mineral material – derived from silica – unlike plastic which is an organic material. The sand is heated at very high temperatures to obtain a main molecular chain of silicon and oxygen associated with side chains.
Silicone offers many properties :
- Resistance to a wide range of temperatures (from -100°C to + 300°C)
- Non-stick
- Stability to weathering and aging
- Flexibility and excellent shape memory
- Resistance to pressure
- Self-extinguishing
- Does not release smoke when in contact with flame
Silicone is an expensive material : 10 to 15 times more expensive than plastic. That’s why some low-end silicone manufacturers, especially from China, choose cheaper components with inferior properties. This is where the non-food items reported in the news articles come from.
Therefore, you should inquire about the quality of the silicone at its raw material stage.
It’s not about the price of the silicone mould or where the silicone mould is made. Our fellow consumer products manufacturers buy cheap silicone from China and inject it in Europe to stamp “Made in Europe” – all Italian manufacturers in particular.
You should ensure the quality of the silicone used by asking your supplier for the complete migration test report.
OUR SILMAE MOULDS : 100% PREMIUM SILICONE
Maé’s strength lies in its use of premium quality silicones, certified to meet French and European food standards. Certification produced by an independent laboratory. The standard in question is the decree of 25 November 1992.
Maé requests the IANESCO laboratory or its equivalent every year.
The analyses are declined in 4 points:
- The determination of free volatile organic matter (VOC).
- The amount of residual peroxide. Maé Innovation uses a platinum cross-linked silicone.
- Determination of the overall migration in an aqueous simulant and in a fat simulant. We recommend to check the migration of a fatty simulant.
- The specific migration of tin.
Very often, low-end silicone moulds do not pass this test. We have done migration measurements on silicone moulds made in Italy by the big names. None of the measurements were in accordance with the regulations.
You can use silicone moulds in your industrial processes with complete peace of mind, but you must first validate that they are food-safe and comply with French regulations.
You will find here the conclusion of the 2022 report of the IANESCO laboratory on our SIL035 silicone. Contact us to receive the full report.
You need a food suitability certificate ? Contact us.
