A guide to finding the right shadow board material for your food production site.

Most Klipspringer shadow boards are made from Aluminium Composite Material (ACM), which is durable, hygienic, and designed specifically for food factories.

Even so, it’s worth reviewing your options, as material choice can have a significant impact on the hygiene, durability, and long-term performance of your boards.

This article takes a closer look at ACM, as well as antimicrobial and steel composite alternatives. It also briefly covers the materials we advise against.

Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) 

Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) is the most popular shadow board material in the Klipspringer range, trusted for demanding food production environments. It is highly rigid, moisture resistant, and performs reliably in areas subject to frequent washdowns.

Klipspringer ACM features a 100% recycled LDPE core and can be fully recycled at end of life. Layered on top of this core is a high-grade aluminium skin that provides superb flatness and rigidity.

The next layer is a bespoke signal-white surface, developed specifically for shadow board printing to ensure increased brightness and colour intensity.

Shadow board designs are then printed directly onto this surface before being sealed with a UV-resistant coating that delivers enhanced durability and eliminates the risk of peeling shadows.

Full certification is available to confirm zero cadmium or lead content in Klipspringer ACM, which can sometimes be found in low-quality alternatives. This is particularly important in food manufacturing environments, where material composition must be fully understood and verifiable for audit purposes. 

From a sustainability perspective, the Aluminium Composite Material supplied by Klipspringer is supported by our Closed Loop Recycling Scheme, helping sites meet environmental objectives while maintaining performance standards. 

The importance of using high-quality ACM 

Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) can vary significantly in origin, specification, and thickness.

In some cases, differences in quality only become apparent over time, particularly in terms of how well the aluminium skins bond to the core when exposed to extreme conditions. While this may be acceptable for construction applications such as temporary hoarding, it presents an unacceptable risk in food production environments.

ACM thickness is another critical consideration, as not all products on the market meet the same standards. In some instances, thinner ACM is supplied as a cost-saving measure without delivering full performance. Certain ACM products are as thin as 2.1mm with 0.15 wall thickness. In contrast, Klipspringer ACM is manufactured to a total thickness of 3mm, with robust 0.3mm aluminium skins.

Finally, imported Aluminium Composite Material can have implications for a site’s carbon footprint and sustainability commitments.

For these reasons, Klipspringer ACM is manufactured in the UK, providing the highest levels of assurance in quality control, traceability, and suitability for hygienic applications. It also possesses the following qualities:

Acid Resistance Surface immersed in 2% HCl for 24hrs without change
Alkali Resistance Surface immersed in NaHO engine oil for 24hrs without change
Oil Resistance Surface immersed in 20# engine oil for 24hrs without change
Solvent Resistance Cleaned 100 times with Dimethylbenzene without change
Cleaning Resistance >1000 times without change
Talk to our team about ACM Shadow Boards

Antimicrobial Shadow Boards 

Antimicrobial shadow boards were introduced to the Klipspringer range to provide an additional option for customers operating in high-risk or high-care environments, where control of bacteria such as Listeria is a key consideration. Manufactured from Waterproof Composite Board (WCB), these boards are fully recyclable, easy to clean, chemical resistant, and 100% waterproof, with no risk of swelling, rotting, or moisture ingress. 

In critical environments, WCB has been shown to inhibit up to 99.99% of harmful bacteria such as MRSA and E. coli. As a result, this material is commonly used in healthcare settings and laboratories. 

However, antimicrobial boards are not always the most appropriate or cost-effective solution for food production sites. In low-care environments, particularly those handling raw ingredients such as meat, poultry, fish, or dairy, a certain amount of bacteria will naturally be present. In these cases, the antimicrobial properties may exceed site requirements without delivering proportional value. 

That said, antimicrobial shadow boards can be beneficial if boards are permanently fixed to walls, making access for cleaning more difficult. They can also be helpful for sites that have unusually high audit or customer requirements, providing an extra layer of assurance in hygiene-critical areas.  

Talk to our team about Antimicrobial Shadow Boards

Steel Composite Material (SCM) 

Steel Composite Material (SCM) offers the same core performance benefits as ACM, including rigidity, durability, and moisture resistance, but with the added advantage of magnetic functionality. 

This makes SCM an ideal choice if customers wish to introduce shadow boards or signage with magnetic mounting to their site. Steel Composite Material retains excellent print quality and is suitable for a wide range of food factory environments. 

Talk to our team about Steel Composite Shadow Boards

Shadow Board Materials Klipspringer Does Not Recommend 

While a variety of materials are used across the shadow board market, not all are suitable for hygienic production environments. Based on experience and industry best practice, Klipspringer advises against the following options: 

Foamex

Although low in cost, Foamex is porous and prone to moisture absorption, creating a risk of bacterial harbourage. Print quality deteriorates quickly, and the material is soft, increasing the risk of damage and foreign body contamination.

Acrylic

Acrylic is heavy and brittle, making it unsuitable for many production environments. Clear acrylic is particularly problematic from a visual management perspective, while coloured acrylic is cost prohibitive and limits printing flexibility. 

Polycarbonate and Similar Plastics

Polycarbonate and similar plastics are often brittle, difficult to print on, and can present a foreign body risk if damaged.

Wood

It’s unlikely that you would ever consider a wooden shadow board for a food production site due to its porous nature and susceptibility to moisture and bacterial growth.

Stainless steel 

Although stainless steel can be used if required, it does not support effective colour coding, is significantly more expensive, and offers no clear functional benefit over composite alternatives in most applications. 

Peg board

Peg boards are typically made from powder-coated steel and are difficult to clean. Compared to modern composite materials such as ACM, they offer no practical advantages and introduce unnecessary hygiene challenges.

By choosing the right material for your shadow boards, you can ensure they remain durable, hygienic, and fully fit for purpose.

If you would like support in this area or have any questions about the options available, you can contact us directly on 01473 461800 or sales@klipspringer.com.

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