Introduction

Producing food-grade silicone requires exceptional attention to detail and strict adherence to cleanliness standards. Even the smallest trace of contamination can compromise product safety, quality, and compliance with food-contact regulations.
Hiabrub (Hengshui) Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. implements a comprehensive production management system to ensure every batch of silicone meets international standards, including FDA 21 CFR §177.2600, LFGB, and EU 10/2011.

This article focuses on two critical aspects: cleaning and pollution control and raw material management—both of which are essential to maintaining food-grade quality.

1. Cleaning and Pollution Control (Most Important)

Maintaining a clean and controlled production environment is the top priority in manufacturing food-grade silicone. Any form of contamination must be strictly avoided.

1.1 Equipment Specialization and Cleaning

• Dedicated Equipment: It is highly recommended to use dedicated mixers and open mills for food-grade silicone production.
  If the same equipment must be shared with other materials, thorough and verifiable cleaning is mandatory before each use.

• Cleaning Procedures: Establish strict cleaning SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). After cleaning, no residue from previous materials, cleaning agents, or metal particles should remain.

• Workshop Cleanliness: The production area should be kept spotless, with effective control measures for dust, airborne particles, and insects.

1.2 Cross-Contamination Prevention

• Operators, containers, packaging materials, and tools must be dedicated or thoroughly cleaned before contact with food-grade silicone.

• Avoid handling food-grade and non–food-grade materials in the same workspace or at the same time.

2. Raw Material Control

In food-grade silicone production, all raw materials must meet certified safety and quality standards.

2.1 Raw Material Qualifications

• All ingredients—including raw silicone, fumed silica, structural control agents, and curing agents—must hold valid food-grade certifications (FDA, LFGB, EU).

• Each supplier must provide testing reports and compliance declarations to verify conformity.

2.2 Additive Selection and Dispersion

• Curing Agents: Commonly used catalysts include platinum or peroxide. Platinum-based systems are extremely sensitive to contaminants such as sulfur, nitrogen, or tin, which can deactivate the catalyst. Therefore, equipment and raw materials must remain exceptionally clean.

• Fillers: The most commonly used filler is fumed silica, which enhances strength and thermal stability. However, poor dispersion can reduce local tensile strength and lead to particle migration.

• Structural Control Agents: Compounds such as hydroxy silicone oil are used to prevent structuring during mixing. Both the dosage and dispersion uniformity significantly affect the final product’s performance.

3. Quality and Compliance Management

Hilbo follows a traceable quality control system to ensure every batch of silicone meets food-grade requirements.
This includes:

• Pre-production material verification and documentation

• Continuous process monitoring and cleaning validation

• Batch testing for mechanical strength, hardness, and purity

• Compliance audits for FDA and EU regulations

By maintaining strict controls, Hilbo ensures that all silicone products are safe for direct food contact and deliver consistent performance in manufacturing and application.

Conclusion

Food-grade silicone production requires discipline, precision, and process control.
From raw material selection to environmental management, Hilbo adheres to the highest standards to prevent contamination and ensure compliance.
With these strict precautions in place, Hiabrub (Hengshui) Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. guarantees that its food-grade silicone materials are clean, safe, and reliable for global applications.

CTA (Call to Action)

Looking for a trusted manufacturer of food-grade silicone materials or need technical support for silicone processing?
? Contact Hiabrub today for expert consultation and customized silicone solutions designed for quality, safety, and performance.