Protein shakes and polyurethane tubing – how do they fit together?
Polyurethane tubing from PAPUREX is used in industries all over the world. In many cases, it is used as pneumatic tubing. However, the tubing is also suitable for various other applications, including exotic examples such as use as surfboard leashes. This list clearly shows that polyurethane tubing is versatile. But what do they have to do with protein shakes?
The fitness industry in Germany has grown rapidly in recent years. With over 11 million memberships, German gyms now have significantly more members than any other sport, even more than soccer. This growth market is highly competitive. Gyms need to position themselves clearly in the spectrum from discounters to premium providers in order to survive in this highly competitive market. Some providers also use culinary offerings, such as protein shakes, to do this. A sensible protein boost is now as much a part of a good workout as bratwurst and beer are to a soccer game. Nowadays, this alone is no longer enough to set a gym apart from the competition. A ready-made shake from the refrigerator is more of a minimum requirement than a selling point.
That’s why some premium providers now offer special protein shake machines that go far beyond the standard range of ready-made shakes. On the one hand, the machines operate entirely without staff, so athletes can ensure their protein intake on their own at any time. In addition, the machine can offer a variety of flavors at the same time, which can even be mixed together. This allows customers to create their own individual taste experience. And that’s not all: it is also possible to choose between milk and water. The icing on the cake (or protein shake) is that the desired consistency can be individually adjusted from liquid to creamy.
Nevertheless, one would not immediately expect to find polyurethane tubing from PAPUREX in such a protein shake machine. Food-safe tubing, such as the L:K:S food contact tubing, has been part of PAPUREX’s range of over 6,000 items for some time, but where is it used here? The answer to this question leads to the heart of the protein shake machine. This machine transports the powder for the individually customized shake from several powder reservoirs to the point where it comes into contact with the liquid. The polyurethane hoses form these very conduits for the protein in its dry state. And it is no coincidence that it is not just any polyurethane hose, but one from PAPUREX. Several hurdles had to be overcome during its development.
New development: Not only food-safe, but also antistatic
In addition to food-safe tubing, PAPUREX’s product range also includes an antistatic tubing called A:S:S®. Although A:S:S® is very popular in many industries, its use in protein shake machines may seem unusual at first glance. However, its antistatic properties would be very helpful in this case. When protein powder is passed through tubing, so-called frictional electricity occurs. The fine powder particles collide with the tubing wall, causing an exchange of electrons. This causes one side to become positively charged and the other negatively charged, which means that they attract each other. This causes the powder to accumulate more and more on the tubing wall and, in the worst case, even clog the line.
An antistatic tubing can remedy this by ensuring that the electricity can flow away safely. This prevents mutual charges from forming, and the powder no longer clogs the line. In this case, however, the A:S:S® antistatic tubing is not the solution to the problem. The reason for this is that although the material composition of the special tubing provides excellent antistatic properties, it is not suitable for use in contact with food.
The PAPUREX development department was thus faced with a Herculean task. The development of a formula that combines two key properties: On the one hand, the tubing must be conductive enough to prevent static charging and thus prevent clogging of the lines. On the other hand, however, the material composition must also be suitable for food contact. This ruled out many antistatic additives from the outset. However, after numerous development attempts, Tubing was developed, which has both sufficient antistatic properties and is suitable for food contact.
This example shows once again that Individual Tubing Solutions is not just a slogan, but part of PAPUREX’s identity. Are you also facing a problem in the hose sector for which you have not yet found a satisfactory solution? Contact our team of experts today, and we will be happy to advise you!