— By Plasteurope.com staff — 

German chemical giant BASF (Ludwigshafen; www.basf.com) has announced the launch of Ultramid H33 L, which it claims is the world’s first polyamide with high water permeability. The product offers a new material solution for artificial sausage casings.

Ultramid H, which combines the strength of conventional polyamides with water permeability, enables the production of smoked sausages in casings made entirely from polyamide for the first time. Until now, traditional materials such as collagen or cellulose were being used for the purpose.

Related: First-half sales at Germany’s BASF fell 1.5% year-on-year

Due to its mechanical strength, the new PA allows for the manufacture of significantly thinner casings, while its hydrophilic properties ensure that smoke flavour and moisture can pass through the material, enabling both smoking and drying processes directly in the casing, the company said.

Rolf Minkwitz, head of polyamide product development at BASF, said the material can be processed like existing polyamides, allowing integration into current production systems.

BASF is set to showcase Ultramid H at the K 2025 plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, taking place from 8 to 15 October. A dedicated discussion featuring early adopter Podanfol, a producer of synthetic casings for cured meat products and cheeses, is scheduled for 9 October at 3 pm.

The KI.PIE Group will also be present at the K 2025 trade fair – come say hello to us in Hall 06, Stand C28!