Food/Pharma · Food-grade
NORFLEX PUR 401 FOOD special wall
NORFLEX PUR 401 FOOD special wall is a lightweight, highly flexible food-grade polyurethane hose with a specially thin wall of 1.5 mm. The hose is FDA-approved as food-grade polyurethane and qualified for transport of dry and liquid foods. The thin-wall construction makes the hose 30-40% lighter and significantly more flexible than standard NORFLEX PUR variants, which is particularly valuable in compact food and pharma installations. 3 dimensions (ID 5, 6, 8 mm) with pressure rating 8-12 bar depending on dimension. Typically used in pharma, compact food process installations and pneumatic transport where light weight and flexibility are critical.
- -40 to +90 C
- FDA approved
- Thin 1.5 mm
- Microbe-resistant
- Lightweight
- Wear-resistant
Why this hose?
The special-wall construction's 1.5 mm wall is the central design feature. Standard NORFLEX PUR typically has 2.5-3 mm wall, providing higher pressure rating but lower flexibility and higher weight. Special-wall reduces both weight and diameter at the same ID, making the hose suitable for compact installations and applications where multiple hoses are bundled together.
FDA approval is a broad American food-grade qualification. PUR is specifically approved for food contact under FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 - a standard reference for polyurethane in the food industry. The hose is qualified per this approval.
Microbe-resistant outer coating is an active hygiene property. The PUR formulation has additives that reduce bacterial and fungal growth on the outer surface. This is particularly valuable in pharma and food zones where cross-contamination between the hose's exterior and production surroundings must be avoided.
Where it is used
Pharma facilities use the hose for bulk raw material handling on compact production facilities. The small dimensions (5-8 mm) are typical for pharma dosings, and thin-wall flexibility allows the hose to be installed between machines without losing pressure margin.
Food production uses the hose for compact process installations where small-scale distribution is required - typically in specialty food factories or premium pharma applications. The 1000 m standard roll for the 5 mm version is practical for continuous production.
Tobacco and aromatic handling industries use the hose for pneumatic transport where PUR's odour neutrality is critical. Tobacco aromas are easily affected by material transfer, and PUR's specific formulation prevents this.
The hose is colloquially known as thin-wall food PUR, NORFLEX 401 special-wall or lightweight FDA PUR.
Technical specifications
The hose's key specifications are briefly summarised below. The special-wall construction's 1.5 mm wall is thinner than standard NORFLEX variants, providing 30-40% weight savings and higher flexibility.
| Material | Food-grade PUR (polyether polyurethane) |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | 1.5 mm (special wall - thinner than standard NORFLEX) |
| Colour | Transparent |
| Temperature range | -40 to +90 C (peak +125 C short-term) |
| Working pressure | 8-12 bar (depending on dimension) |
| Food approval | FDA (food-grade polyurethane) |
| Microbe resistance | Yes (microbe-resistant outer coating) |
| Imprint | NORFLEX (R) PUR 401 FOOD - Abmessung - mm PN/BD 13 bar 20 C |
| Standard roll lengths | 1000 m (5 mm) / 100 m (6, 8 mm) |
| Manufacturer SKU | 4012182 |
Dimensions and ordering
The table shows the hose's 3 standard dimensions. Pressure falls gradually with dimension. The 5 mm version is delivered on 1000 m rolls; 6 and 8 mm on 100 m.
| Inner Ø |
Outer Ø |
Wall thickness |
Working pressure |
Bend radius |
Max. length |
Weight |
Roll |
Article no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 8 | 1.5 | 12 | 33 | 1000 | 0.04 | 100 | 40190502182 |
| 6 | 9 | 1.5 | 10 | 37 | 100 | 0.04 | 100 | 40190602182 |
| 8 | 11 | 1.5 | 8 | 46 | 100 | 0.05 | 100 | 40190802182 |
Fields without a value (—) are not specified in the manufacturer's factsheet. 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 qualified per the central standards for food-grade polyurethane hoses.
- FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. American FDA approval for food-contact polyurethane. Standard reference for food-grade PUR.
- RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU). Restriction of hazardous substances.
- REACH (EC 1907/2006). Registration of chemical substances.
- EN ISO 1307:2008. European standard for rubber and thermoplastic hoses for general use.
- EU 1935/2004. Food contact regulation. The hose's FDA approval is equivalent for American market; for EU 10/2011 test conditions, BARDUC or PROTAPE PUR-INOX variants are recommended.
- ISO 9001:2015. Quality management system at the manufacturer.
- BfR XXI. German Bundesinstitut food recommendation. The hose is not specifically BfR XXI qualified on the factsheet.
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
Although this hose isn't ATEX-relevant, these two articles provide useful background on electrical resistance and industrial safety — important if you later combine the hose with electrical equipment or work in mixed environments:
The invisible weakest link
Why a conductive or antistatic hose isn't sufficient on its own — and what grounding means for the complete system.
Know your ohm
The difference between antistatic and conductive, which resistance limits apply where, and how to measure them correctly.
Industries that use it
NORFLEX PUR 401 FOOD special wall is used where a lightweight FDA-approved PUR hose must combine food-grade with compact flexibility - typically in pharma, compact food process installations and pneumatic transport.
Pharma facilities are the main market. Bulk raw material handling at pharma facilities requires food-grade hoses with small dimensions and high flexibility for compact installations. The thin-wall PUR construction is specifically designed for this use - lighter and more flexible than standard NORFLEX PUR.
Food industry uses the hose for compact process pipes where pneumatic transport or small-scale liquid distribution is required. The FDA approval ensures food-contact compatibility, and microbe-resistant outer coating reduces bacterial growth on the outer surface.
Tobacco industry and pneumatic transport use the hose for aromatic transport where PUR's neutrality (no taste or odour transfer) is an advantage. The thin-wall flexibility allows the hose to be installed in compact machine rooms without losing pressure rating.
Custom lengths and assemblies
The hose can be delivered cut to desired lengths. The standard roll can be supplemented with shorter pieces or multiple rolls by arrangement.
At Particulair we advise on couplings and sizing. Send us a sketch of your application and we will assess the right variant and length.
Frequently asked questions
What is NORFLEX PUR 401 FOOD special wall particularly suitable for?
The hose is a highly flexible, wear-resistant polyurethane hose with thin special wall (1.5 mm) for transport of dry and liquid foods. The PUR construction is qualified per FDA as food-grade polyurethane, and the thin-wall construction provides higher flexibility and lower weight than standard NORFLEX PUR variants.
What makes 'special wall' different?
Standard NORFLEX PUR 401 FOOD typically has 2.5-3 mm wall. The special-wall version has only 1.5 mm wall, making the hose 30-40% lighter and significantly more flexible at the same dimension. Pressure falls gradually with dimension from 12 bar on the 5 mm version to 8 bar on 8 mm. The special-wall construction is specifically for compact installations where weight and flexibility are critical.
How many dimensions are in the range?
3 dimensions: ID 5, 6 and 8 mm. These are small dimensions specifically designed for compact food and pharma installations. The 5 mm version is delivered on 1000 m rolls; 6 and 8 mm on 100 m rolls. Pressure falls gradually: 12 bar at 5 mm, 10 bar at 6 mm, 8 bar at 8 mm.
What is the operating temperature?
-40 to +90 C with short-term peak up to +125 C. This covers most food and pharma process intensities incl. CIP cleaning with hot water and short-term steam peaks. For continuous high temperatures (above +95 C) we recommend NORFLEX SIL 408 or MILKCORD SP BUTYL.
Is the hose microbe-resistant?
Yes - the factsheet explicitly specifies microbe-resistant outer surface. The PUR lining's smooth finish contributes to reducing bacterial adhesion on the inner surface. This is a critical property in pharma applications where biofilm growth must be prevented between CIP cycles.
What food approvals does the hose have?
The hose is qualified per FDA approval as food-grade polyurethane (typically FDA 21 CFR 177.2600). The factsheet does not note specific EU 10/2011 test conditions (5 minutes or 10 days), so for installations requiring EU 10/2011 spec we recommend BARDUC PVC 381 FOOD (HD) or PROTAPE PUR-INOX 330 FOOD-AS (LD).
Which couplings are recommended?
For small dimensions (5-8 mm), hose-end couplings with metal crimp clamps or quick couplings are recommended. For food applications, hygiene couplings (Tri-Clamp, mini-DIN) are recommended. We fit couplings to the hose by arrangement.
What colour is the hose?
Transparent outer coating, allowing visual inspection of media flow and the hose's inner condition without opening it. This is a practical property in food and pharma installations where visual inspection is part of daily quality procedure.