For high-temperature food-contact applications, BASF now offers a portfolio of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) grades that is not based on Bisphenol S (BPS) or Bisphenol A (BPA).

This Ultrason® P portfolio thus complies with EU Commission Regulation 2024/3190 which prohibits Bisphenol in food contact materials and articles. After defined transition periods, these articles are no longer allowed to be produced in or imported into the European Union. The six Ultrason® P grades, their data sheets, necessary material certificates and food contact approvals are available as of now: Manufacturers of e.g., reusable bottles, catering tableware, coffee machine components or high-heat pans can timely start to re-qualify their food-contact applications currently made of e.g., polyethersulfone (PESU) which will also be impacted by the ban. BASF thus supports a smooth transition toward compliant articles while offering a broad PPSU portfolio that enables food-contact parts with excellent processing, great design freedom and long-term performance.

The EU regulation 2024/3190 entered into force in January 2025. It prohibits the use of hazardous bisphenols and derivatives in food-contact materials and articles, establishing transition periods for placing articles on the market until January 2028, depending on the specific article category. PPSU is not affected by the restriction and can serve as a robust material solution for customers having to change the material basis of their food-contact applications.

Six tailored PPSU grades available with food contact approvals

For all manufacturers so far using PESU, polysulfone (PSU) or polyetherimide (PEI) in food-contact applications, BASF supports the change with six tailored Ultrason® P grades for diverse requirements: these include grades for easy mold release and enable versatile color possibilities from opaque to translucent for compounds or with masterbatches – all with the high performance to which manufacturers of BASF’s Ultrason® P are accustomed to: temperature-independent mechanical properties, high resistance to many detergents, oils, fats and superheated steam, superior toughness and good dimensional stability. Ultrason® P grades are long standing materials of choice for household articles, catering dishes, baby bottles and microwaveable containers.

BASF supports changeover to PPSU

Six BASF PPSU — Extended Ultrason® P portfolio by BASF enables re-qualification of food‑contact articles like reusable bottles, catering tableware and high-heat pans affected by EU Regulation 2024/3190. (photo: BASF)

“Bisphenols as defined in the EU regulation 2024/3190 are not used in the manufacture of our Ultrason® P”, says Georg Graessel from global business management Ultrason® at BASF. “We have adapted and extended this portfolio to give manufacturers sufficient time to test and re-qualify their food-contact products until the ban takes full effect in the EU. Technical data sheets and required certificates can be provided to support qualification processes. Existing injection molding tools for PESU can continue to be used.”

The EU Regulation 2024/3190 covers only food-contact materials and articles, not applications in contact with drinking water. In filtration membrane assemblies for food, polysulfone is exempted and may continue to be used.

Ultrason® is the trade name for BASF’s product range of polyethersulfone (Ultrason® E), polysulfone (Ultrason® S) and polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason® P). The high-performance thermoplastic is used to manufacture water filtration membranes, stylish, durable and safe household and catering applications as well as lightweight components for the automotive and aerospace industries. Ultrason® brands can substitute thermosets, metals, glass and ceramics in many applications because of their extraordinary property profile.