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  8. Why Switch to Phthalate-Free Tubing?

Why Switch to Phthalate-Free Tubing?

Traditionally used in plastics manufacturing, phthalates increase flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity in products. One of the most common, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is an organic chemical derived from fossil fuels. Concern over the potential toxicity of phthalates at high exposure levels, particularly DEHP, is increasing, and use—particularly for products that have direct and indirect contact with food—is expected to become limited or prohibited.

Tygon non-dehp phthalate free peristaltic pump tubing

Materials science experts at Saint-Gobain developed and manufacture a portfolio of advanced tubing formulations to address concerns over DEHP and phthalates. The tubing uses a safe, effective plasticizer derived from plant extracts and is 100% free of phthalates, including DEHP. The tubing is compliant with new global regulatory requirements—including European REACH Regulations, US FDA regulations, California Proposition 65, Japan’s Food Sanitation Law, and many others—while proving the same level of high performance.

Masterflex® partnered with Saint-Gobain to develop non-DEHP, phthalate free tubing to withstand the rigors of peristaltic pump use. This collaboration resulted in the development of the following tubing formulations for Masterflex.

Masterflex® Tygon® E-LFL (Long Flex Life) Pump Tubing

As the successor to Tygon® LFL, this new Tygon® E-LFL formulation offers the best peristaltic pump life of any clear Tygon tubing. It has been tested for up to 1,000 hours at 0 psi and 600 hours at 10 psi. This non-DEHP tubing is ideal for laboratory, food & beverage, and biopharmaceutical peristaltic pump applications. It can be sterilized via ethylene oxide gas (EtO) or autoclave. It meets USP Class VI, EP 3.2.9, ISO 10993, FDA criteria, NSF-51, and EU Food regulations.

  • Long life
  • Safe and nontoxic
  • Broad chemical resistance

Masterflex® Tygon® E-Food, Milk, and Dairy (B-44-4x) Tubing

This tubing is one of the first to offer a near global approval for the food, beverage, and sanitary industries. This non-DEHP formulation offers a significantly better pump life—second only to E-LFL for the clear Tygon formulations. Its smooth nonporous bore will not trap particles or promote bacterial growth. It is compatible with foods containing high oil content. It is also resistant to harsh cleaners, sanitizers, and can be sterilized via EtO and autoclave. This tubing meets FDA criteria, EU Food, 3-A, and NSF 51 and 61 standards.

  • Designed especially for handling food products
  • Bore is extremely smooth and will not promote material buildup
  • Non-wetting properties allow flush-cleaning and complete drainage
  • Unaffected by common commercial sanitizers

Masterflex® Tygon® E-Lab (E-3603) Laboratory Tubing

The next generation of the successful Laboratory tubing (R-3603) combines high performing clarity, flexibility, and crack-resistance with affordability. Tygon® E-3606 Laboratory Tubing is designed for general laboratory work with peristaltic pumps and analytical instruments. It offers outstanding chemical compatibility, and can be sterilized by EtO and autoclave. Meets USP Class VI, NSF-51, FDA criteria, and EU Food regulations.

  • Excellent for general laboratory, biopharmaceutical and food & beverage fluid transfer applications
  • Non-oxidizing and non-contaminating with a polished inner bore to maintain fluid integrity
  • Handles most inorganic chemicals used in laboratories
  • Also available in vacuum tubing

Masterflex® Versilon™ (2001) Tubing

This tubing is compatible with aggressive chemicals, even MEK, and withstands acetone, DMSO, ketones, and more. It offers a cost-effective alternative to fluoropolymers or fluoroelastomers. Applications for this tubing include soap and detergent dispensing, water purification lines, chemical transfer, and more. Tygon® ChemicalVersilon™ 2001 Tubing meets USP and FDA criteria for contact with food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

  • Best chemical resistance of any Tygon formulations
  • Compatible with many polar solvents

Tygon® E-1000 Ultra-Soft Non-DEHP Tubing (Not for Masterflex pump use)

This non-DEHP tubing maintains flexibility even at low temperatures, making it perfect for synthesis and cryogenic applications. It is also appropriate for complex lab installations that require multiple directional changes, twisting, and abrupt curves. This tubing is FDA-compliant (21 CFR 175.300) and meets NSF 51 standards.

  • Highly flexible
  • Resistant to collapsing or kinking
  • Ideal for use in low temperature applications

Certification

Masterflex will provide a free certificate of classification for non-DEHP tubing that includes global compliance information and background for the formulation. These certificates are available before or after the purchase of tubing. (Find them on the product Web page.)

A full certificate of resin or elastomer compliance is also free, by customer request, with each order of tubing. Certificates list the customer’s company’s PO number, order reference number, catalog number, formulation, compound number, lot number (where applicable), and the regulations and agencies the tubing complies with, including USP, FDA, USDA, National Formulary, NSF International, GMP, and 3-A.

Find more information on tubing or contact an Application Specialist for technical support by calling 800-323-4340.