BASF is introducing the world’s first thermoplastic polyamide with a high water permeability to the market with the launch of Ultramid H33 L. The unique combination of strength and water permeability makes Ultramid H an innovative material for artificial casings in which sausages can be smoked and then dried.

Such casings have so far been made of collagen or cellulose, for instance. As the new polyamide can be used to produce artificial casings with significantly thinner walls due to its strength, it is an attractive alternative to these materials.

Thanks to the hydrophilic properties of Ultramid H, the desired smoke aromas pass through the artificial casing made of pure polyamide into the sausage products during the smoking process. The high water permeability allows subsequent drying directly in the casing.

“Ultramid H opens up new fields of application for thermoplastic polyamides that were previously beyond technical capabilities and is unique among thermoplastics. It can be processed like any other polyamide, enabling our customers to incorporate Ultramid H into their production processes without making any adjustments,” explained Dr. Rolf Minkwitz, who is responsible for polyamide product development at BASF.

With the development of this innovative material, BASF is setting new standards for both polyamide research and its applications and will present Ultramid H for the first time at the world’s largest plastics trade fair “K”, which will take place in Düsseldorf from October 8 to 15.