Ascend launches metal-detectable cable tie compounds to streamline supply chain for customers

September 19, 2023

Ascend Performance Materials has announced the launch of pre-colored, metal-detectable Vydyne® PA66 compounds for cable ties and fasteners for industries where foreign object contamination causes health concerns and reputational damage, such as in pharmaceutical and food processing facilities. The new product meets the most stringent performance standards and simplifies the supply chain for cable tie and fastener producers.

“We constantly look for ways to better serve our customers,” said Tim Goossens, cable tie segment leader for Ascend. “This new metal-detectable Vydyne reduces the need for additional tolling or masterbatch steps and ensures the material performs as intended right out of the box.”

Both the United States and European Union have strict performance requirements for materials used in and around food and drug processing facilities

As the world’s largest fully integrated PA66 producer, Ascend ensures the consistent dispersion of the metal additive within the polymer matrix so that even small metal particles are clearly visible and identified with standard detection equipment. In tests with varying sized cable tie fragments added to cereal flakes, even the smallest fragment was reliably detected using X-ray imaging with a micro-focus tube at 60 kV and 0.3 mA.

Metal-detecable Vydyne materials are globally available and offered in two blue-colored grades with high- and low-impact strength. Beyond cable ties and fasteners, both grades also target safety-critical applications in other sensitive market segments, such as machined plastic stock shapes, and any consumables that require HACCP-managed* food safety.

Ascend Performance Materials will showcase the new metal-detectable Vydyne during Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, Germany, from Oct. 17 to 21 at Booth 5217 in Hall B5.