Hardide PLC
20 September 2007
Press Release 20 September 2007
Hardide plc
('Hardide' or 'the Company' or 'the Group')
Hardide approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration
for Food Processing
Hardide plc (AIM:HDD), the provider of unique surface engineering technology, is
pleased to announce that Hardide-T, its unique tungsten carbide-based component
coating, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ('the FDA')
for use on food processing equipment.
The FDA approval opens up significant opportunities for the Company to build on
its existing European position, where Hardide's coating is already being used
successfully in food processing applications. As a result of the FDA go-ahead,
the Company has entered tests with one of the premier manufacturers of
high-pressure homogenisers and homogenisation systems, which has worldwide
distribution to the food, dairy and beverage industries.
The Group intends to leverage its position following the receipt of FDA approval
and will enter the US food manufacturing sector via its coating facility located
in Houston, Texas. The opportunities for the Hardide coating in food
manufacturing are primarily in valve, pump and actuator applications where the
Company has proven success in other industries.
Commenting on the announcement, Jim Murray-Smith, Chief Executive of Hardide
plc, said: 'This is a major development for Hardide as it opens up a vast range
of new opportunities for the Group internationally where we can offer a solution
to the many food manufacturing applications where part failure due to wear,
corrosion and galling is an issue.
'We are already working very successfully in this sector in the UK. An example
is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies which was having
repeated failures with a hard chrome coating which was puncturing and flaking
under abrasive conditions, causing the galling of critical ball valves and
seats. The life of the parts was increased in excess of 20-fold after being
coated with Hardide-T.
'Hardide's entry into the food processing sector is a natural progression
following the Group's success in the valve and pump markets within high wear
industries such as oil and gas, power generation and chemicals. We are
confident that the food processing sector holds considerable potential for
Hardide and that our unique coating will soon be incorporated into selected
applications in this new market.'
Ends
For further information:
Hardide plc
Jim Murray Smith, Chief Executive / Tel: +44 (0) 1869 353 830
Jackie Robinson, Head of Communications
jmurray-smith@hardide.com www.hardide.com
Seymour Pierce
Nicola Marrin Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 8000
Media enquiries:
Abchurch
Chris Lane / Hugo Jenkins Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700
chris.lane@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com
Notes to editors:
Hardide provides and applies tungsten carbide-based coatings to a wide range of
engineering components. The Company's patented technology is unique in that it
combines both abrasion and corrosion resistant properties in one coating. When
applied to components, the technology is proven to offer dramatic cost savings
through reduced downtime and extended component life. Customers include leading
companies operating in oil and gas exploration and production, valve and pumps
manufacturing, general engineering and aerospace.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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