PROCESSING | PROCESS AIDS AND LUBRICANTS


Hydrocarbon-based additives are also being used Above:


Baerlocher’s new PFAS-free Baerolub Aid is a PPA based on oleochemicals providing melt clearance in blown film


are not as robust as fluoropolymer PPAs, and may require different dosage levels depending on the product. “The wide range of PFAS-free master- batches available to film producers makes it very difficult for them to identify the optimal solution. Simple comparative screenings of multiple products do not always allow the best option to emerge,” said Eriksson. “Many [film producers] report that they have evaluated more than 20 different products, without being able to single out one product that can fully replace their traditional PPA without some loss of productivity.” Baerlocher’s new PFAS-free Baerolub Aid is a


PPA based on oleochemicals and is available as powder, pastilles, granules or masterbatch. It is compliant with relevant food-contact regulations worldwide. Eriksson said that Baerlocher has worked closely with converters to provide support on how to best implement the company’s additive for each case, so that they can use the product successfully under a variety of conditions. He noted that the oleochemical-based composition provides an alternative for film producers who have not been able to achieve their goals with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based PPAs.


Bio-based option Cargill introduced Incroflo P50, a PPA fluoropoly- mer replacement composed of 86% bio-based material with no halogens, silicone polymers or PEG, at K2025. “As the industry is experiencing ongoing shifts in regulation, we’ve engineered a premium future-proof additive by tapping into our global feedstock supply chain for a consistently renewable solution,” said Adam Maltby, a research fellow with Cargill. The additive, supplied as a solid pellet, has been shown to improve LLDPE film processing at loadings of 1,000 ppm.


24 COMPOUNDING WORLD | April 2026


as fluoropolymer PPA alternatives. Daikin, which supplies traditional PPAs, launched alternative Hydrocarbon-Based HC-PPA products last year. The company reported that Daikin PPA DAHC-101 was developed for polyolefins with a dosing level of 500-1,000 ppm to minimise melt fracture and die build-up. The company said that applications include blown and cast film, pipe, tubes, wire and cable. 3M is introducing its 3M Polymer Processing Additive HX 9551, which is a hydrocarbon-based PPA engineered to help deliver the robust and consistent performance the market expects. “3M has a development approach which includes evaluating performance across a broad range of operating conditions, including different shear rates, tempera- tures, and resin grades, to help customers/end users ensure reliable operation in their diverse processing applications,” the company said.


Recycling aids Arkema, which offers conventional fluoropolymer- based Kynar PVDF polymer processing and recycling aids (PPRA) made without the use of PFAS surfactants, now supplies Orgasol PA 12 powder as a PPA for customers who want a non-fluorinated PPRA for polyolefins in film extrusion and other applications. The company’s existing Orgasol PA 12 ultra-fine, spheroidal polyamide powders have been used as multifunctional surface modifiers in coatings and technical compounds; the new grade, Orgasol 2002 EXD NAT 1, is a 10-micron powder with a narrow particle size distribution designed as a polyolefin PPA. For film extrusion, addition as a masterbatch is recommended with a final concen- tration ranging from 500 to 1,500 ppm. The non-fluorinated PPRA is effective at reduc- ing melt fracture and die build-up, although it requires higher levels than fluorinated PPRAs. It has food-contact approval and is available in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South and Central America, and Near East/Africa regions. Dow introduced Dowsil 5-1050 PPA, which contains a silicone additive in a PE carrier and is supplied as a masterbatch for ease of feeding into existing extrusion processes. In LLDPE film extru- sion, the additive mitigates melt fracture, suppress- es die-lip buildup, and lowers die pressure at dosage levels of 1-3 wt.%. It is approved for food contact applications in the US, Europe, and China. Another additive, Dowsil 4-7081 PE, a silicone


formulation masterbatch in a PE carrier resin, is a both a process aid and a flame-retardant synergist designed to enable halogen free flame retardant (HFFR) solutions. The additive supports retention of


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IMAGE: BAERLOCHER


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