FDA approval

20 Sep 2007 07:01

Hardide PLC20 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, ispleased to announce that Hardide-T, its unique tungsten carbide-based componentcoating, 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 onits existing European position, where Hardide's coating is already being usedsuccessfully in food processing applications. As a result of the FDA go-ahead,the Company has entered tests with one of the premier manufacturers ofhigh-pressure homogenisers and homogenisation systems, which has worldwidedistribution to the food, dairy and beverage industries. The Group intends to leverage its position following the receipt of FDA approvaland will enter the US food manufacturing sector via its coating facility locatedin Houston, Texas. The opportunities for the Hardide coating in foodmanufacturing are primarily in valve, pump and actuator applications where theCompany has proven success in other industries. Commenting on the announcement, Jim Murray-Smith, Chief Executive of Hardideplc, said: "This is a major development for Hardide as it opens up a vast rangeof new opportunities for the Group internationally where we can offer a solutionto 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 exampleis one of the world's largest food and beverage companies which was havingrepeated failures with a hard chrome coating which was puncturing and flakingunder abrasive conditions, causing the galling of critical ball valves andseats. The life of the parts was increased in excess of 20-fold after beingcoated with Hardide-T. "Hardide's entry into the food processing sector is a natural progressionfollowing the Group's success in the valve and pump markets within high wearindustries such as oil and gas, power generation and chemicals. We areconfident that the food processing sector holds considerable potential forHardide and that our unique coating will soon be incorporated into selectedapplications in this new market." Ends For further information: Hardide plcJim Murray Smith, Chief Executive / Tel: +44 (0) 1869 353 830 Jackie Robinson, Head of Communicationsjmurray-smith@hardide.com www.hardide.com Seymour PierceNicola Marrin Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 8000 Media enquiries:AbchurchChris Lane / Hugo Jenkins Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700chris.lane@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com Notes to editors: Hardide provides and applies tungsten carbide-based coatings to a wide range ofengineering components. The Company's patented technology is unique in that itcombines both abrasion and corrosion resistant properties in one coating. Whenapplied to components, the technology is proven to offer dramatic cost savingsthrough reduced downtime and extended component life. Customers include leadingcompanies operating in oil and gas exploration and production, valve and pumpsmanufacturing, general engineering and aerospace. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange