Mechanical handling specialist Apollo Group (MJ Coevorden / The Netherlands; www.apollobv.com) has specified a "Luvocom" high-performance detectable compound to replace a non-detectable PA 6 material previously used in its elevator buckets, to reduce the risk of contamination through bucket damage or wear in food manufacturing applications.

"Luvocom" 3-9001/BL/L, from German compounder and distributor Lehmann & Voss (Hamburg; www.lehvoss.de), is compliant with EU and FDA food contact regulations and is coloured blue to make visual traceability easier. It is magnetic, and the presence of fragments or particles can be detected by common metal or x-ray detectors used in food production lines, even when the foreign particles are down to 1mm in size, Apollo said.

Bertil Elders, spare parts manager with Apollo Group, said that the material had been specified because of its high level of hygienic safety. "Our bucket elevators with Luvocom buckets are currently being used by a number of global food manufacturers including chocolate and candy producers to ensure product safety for their consumers," he added.