Many customers ask us what PUL fabric is. In this article, we’ll talk about this unique fabric, which we use as the underlayer on our Mighty Food Covers.
What is PUL Fabric?
Polyurethane Laminate Fabric, or PUL, is a soft, flexible, tough, and waterproof fabric . PUL is comprised of 2 layers: a polyester fabric (typically 1 mm thick) with a very thin layer of polyurethane film bonded to the reverse.
What are common uses of PUL?
People use PUL for medical bedding, mattress protectors, reusable incontinence products, diapers/nappies, wet bags, and cloth menstrual pads. Some companies have started using this fabric for snack bags and bowl covers because it can be reused many times after cleaning, and because it prevents leakage.
How is Foodsafe PUL Fabric different from PUL
We use ProSoft FoodSAFE® PUL, which is made in the USA,meets the requirements of 21 CFR 175.300, and “may be safely used as the food-contact surface of articles intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food.” ProSoft PUL was tested under the worst-case conditions for all types of food and beverages (except for alcoholic beverages).
At Hanuk Design, we believe that that the materials used in making fabrics are as important as the method of manufacture. Most types of PUL fabric say “safety approved,” but that doesn’t mean that they are free of lead, BPA, and phthalate-free PUL, which are harmful if they are in contact with food. That’s why we decided to use Foodsafe certified PUL fabric from the USA, where there is quality control from the beginning ot the end of the process.
Here are the key features of Foodsafe PUL:
- 100% free of PFOS, PFOA, lead, dioxins, heavy metals & BPA; free from phthalates.
- Uniquely food safe. The ONLY PUL to be tested for food safety.
- Great durability. it is very durable and tested to withstand 300+ washings.
- 100% eco-friendly
- Super soft, breathable, and flexible
- The unique manufacturing process permanently melt-bonds specially-treated TPU film to the fabric without toxic solvents. The process emits no toxic waste or VOCs harmful to the environment.
- The fabric is manufactured with no harmful chemicals or finishes, in controlled conditions in American textile mills.
- The fabric is NOT stain-resistant. Stain resistance requires a chemical treatment that would make it not food safe.
These FoodSafe fabrics are 2 times or sometimes 3 times more expensive than other PUL fabrics on the market. But we didn’t want to use something that we couldn’t trust, since they will be used for food and sometimes even for baby food. After all, we want to be proud of the things we sell to our customers because we care!
We hope this explains what PUL fabric is, and the difference between PUL fabric and FoodSAFE® PUL fabric.
Thanks for reading!
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