Food/Pharma · EU 1935/2004 + EU 10/2011
AIRFLEX®/PU/AS/FOOD
Highly flexible suction hose with a mirror-smooth food-grade PU wall, antistatic and chemical-resistant. Designed for suctioning food and pharmaceutical products — typically on cleaning machines, suction pumps and filling machines. The spiral is rigid PVC with copper inlay, providing good collapse resistance under vacuum. Antistatic wall <10⁹ Ω meets NFPA 652 and can be used in ESD systems with proper grounding.
- Food-grade EU + FDA + LFGB
- Antistatic <10⁹ Ω
- Highly flexible + mirror-smooth interior
- Gas, dust, liquid, solid
- Rigid PVC spiral with copper
- Cut to length
Why this hose?
AIRFLEX®/PU/AS/FOOD is specialised for suctioning food and pharmaceutical products. The mirror-smooth food-grade PU wall is combined with an antistatic formulation, so the hose can be used in classified zones with static-electricity risk.
The practical detail is the rigid PVC spiral with copper inlay. That gives better collapse resistance under vacuum than a standard spring-steel spiral, a real advantage on suction machines with high vacuum loads. The hose is tested for all relevant food simulants (categories A-E + D1 + D2 in EU 10/2011).
Lower temperature tolerance. +85 °C is lower than other food PUR hoses (+90 °C). For CIP cleaning at higher temperature or warmer processes choose another food-grade variant.
Where it is used
AIRFLEX®/PU/AS/FOOD is typically used on suction and filling machines in food production. That includes dairy, meat processing and bakeries.
It is also used for industrial vacuum cleaners in food zones and cleaning equipment in pharma.
The formal product name is AIRFLEX®/PU/AS/FOOD. In daily use this is "food-airflex" or "the smooth food suction hose".
Technical specifications
Specifications are current as of 15 April 2026 and refer to 20 °C unless otherwise stated.
| Material | Polyurethane (PU), food-grade, permanently antistatic |
|---|---|
| Colour | Transparent with blue spiral |
| Wall construction | Corrugated outer cover, mirror-smooth interior |
| Spiral material | Rigid PVC spiral with copper wire |
| Conveying media | Gas, dust, liquid, solid |
| Temperature range | −25 °C to +85 °C |
| Electrical resistance | Antistatic wall <10⁹ Ω (NFPA 652 threshold) |
| Food approval | EU 10/2011 (A, B, C, D1, D2, E), EU 1935/2004, FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, LFGB, GMP EU 2023/2006 |
| Cut to length | Yes |
| Manufacturer SKU (model group) | 4606 |
Dimensions and ordering
The table shows the main variants from the manufacturer's factsheet. Fields without a value (—) are not specified. Diameters, pressure values and bend radii are normative; weights and roll lengths are typical production values.
| Inner Ø |
Outer Ø |
Vacuum |
Bend radius |
Max. length |
Weight |
Roll |
Article no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 39 | 0.2 | 32 | 20 | 0.28 | 20 | 4606032000 |
| 38 | 45 | 0.2 | 38 | 20 | 0.31 | 20 | 4606038000 |
| 40 | 47 | 0.2 | 40 | 20 | 0.34 | 20 | 4606040000 |
| 51 | 59 | 0.2 | 51 | 20 | 0.43 | 20 | 4606050000 |
| 76 | 85 | 0.16 | 76 | 20 | 0.76 | 20 | 4606075000 |
| 102 | 112 | 0.13 | 102 | 20 | 1.12 | 20 | 4606100000 |
Overpressure and underpressure values are recommended operating limits; the product can be subjected to higher loads on request. Bend radius is measured along the inside of the hose bend.
Standards and compliance
The hose is certified to the following standards:
- EN ISO 1307:2008. International standard format for hoses.
- EU 10/2011 (relevant categories). EU regulation for plastics in food contact.
- EU 1935/2004. Framework regulation for food contact materials.
- FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. US food approval for polyurethane materials.
- GMP EU 2023/2006. Manufacturing process certified to Good Manufacturing Practice.
- REACH and RoHS. The manufacturer holds declarations of compliance.
- LFGB. German Food and Feed Code.
Documentation and downloads
Additional documents about this hose, its compliance and installation. Click to download as PDF in a new tab.
Help with material selection
If you are choosing a hose and are uncertain about the right resistance level or zone classification, these two articles are a good place to start:
Industries that use it
The hose is used in the food industry where antistatic wall and hygiene are combined needs:
Food and pharmaceutical industries use the hose as a standard on suction machines, filling machines and cleaning equipment in hygiene environments.
Custom lengths and assemblies
The hose can be cut to length and assembled with couplings, cuffs and threaded fittings through Particulair's custom hose assemblies.
We offer guidance on material choice, coupling system and grounding, so the hose fits correctly into the overall system. If there is any doubt about zone classification or resistance requirements, a short conversation before ordering is well worth the time.
Frequently asked questions
Is AIRFLEX®/PU/AS/FOOD ATEX-approved?
The hose is antistatic with surface resistance <10⁹ Ω per ISO 8031, but the factsheet does not list an explicit ATEX 2014/34/EU marking. It functions as an ESD component in a grounded system. For processes requiring documented ATEX marking, choose for example AIRDUC® PUR-INOX 351 FOOD-AS (MD) which has the explicit approval.
Why mirror-smooth interior?
The mirror-smooth interior minimises food deposits in the hose wall — important for both hygiene and effective flow. It makes the hose easier to clean and reduces the risk of microbial growth in fine surface irregularities.
What temperature range does the hose tolerate?
The normal operating range is −25 °C to +85 °C. That is lower than other PU food hoses (typically +90 °C), so for warmer processes or CIP cleaning at higher temperatures choose a different variant.
Can the hose be supplied cut to length with couplings?
Yes. AIRFLEX®/PU/AS/FOOD can be cut to length and assembled with couplings, cuffs and threaded fittings through Particulair's custom hose assemblies. We provide guidance on coupling system and sealing so the hose fits correctly into the overall installation.
How do I order the hose, and where do you deliver?
The hose is ordered through Particulair (Karlslunde, Denmark). We deliver to Denmark, the EU and selected third countries such as Norway and Switzerland. Standard dimensions can typically be delivered in 1-2 weeks; custom assemblies and larger volumes require slightly longer lead time.
What is the hose's expected service life?
Service life depends on operating conditions: loading, temperature, chemical exposure, UV and mechanical movement. In standard industrial use, expected life is 3-7 years. Aggressive conditions (high temperatures, continuous flexing, chemical vapours) reduce service life. We recommend regular visual inspection for cracks, deformation or discolouration.
How is the hose best stored before use?
Store the hose dry, at room temperature (15-25 °C) and out of direct sunlight. Avoid contact with ozone-generating equipment (welding equipment, engines). If stored on a reel, the bend must be larger than the specified minimum radius to avoid permanent deformation. Proper storage significantly extends shelf life.
What is the minimum bend radius, and what happens if I go below it?
Minimum bend radius is the smallest radius the hose can be bent to without permanent deformation or internal damage. The table above shows specific values for each dimension. Bending the hose below this limit can collapse the wall, kink the spiral or damage the inner coating. The result is reduced flow, increased pressure loss and shorter service life. Always use bend radius as a design constraint in installation.