MATERIALS | ADDITIVES FOR FILM
“In the US, brand companies are driving replace-
ment of PFAS PPAs in packaging, particularly in metallocene-catalysed LLDPE films, which require PPAs for good processability,” said Baerlocher’s Nunez. “They want to know how quickly and at what cost the conversion can be made — not if it can be made. The good news is that we have found our new solution clears melt fracture even faster than conventional fluoropolymer PPAs in many conven- tional blown film formulations and processes.” Baerlocher says it has been working on the
Below:
Ampacet has developed a line of PFAS- free PPAs for blown film production
platform for more than two years and that positive results have been repeated in many trials. The company says that four polymer producers have reached production stage as they introduce PFAS-free resins into the market. Two product grades are available. Baerolub AID 2201 is said to be best for the fastest time to clear melt fracture in metallocene LLDPE [Figure 2]. Another option for certain conditions is Baerolub AID 2202, which the company says provides very good melt clearing times compared to traditional PPAs. The additives have global food contact approvals, and Nunez says that Baerlocher is prepared to scale up quickly and supply the product globally. ProVital + Permstat is a non-migratory antistatic masterbatch from Ampacet that provides perma- nent antistatic properties for polyolefin films used in pharmaceutical applications, such as packaging for powdered pharmaceutical ingredients. The antistat is added to the external layer of packaging films so that electrostatic charges can dissipate. Another new product from the company is Permslip 1409, a non-migrating permanent slip solution for flexible packaging conversion. Ampacet has also introduced PFAS-Free PPA masterbatches for blown film extrusion that can be used at the same let-down ratios as Ampacet’s other common fluoropolymer-based PPA master- batches, providing a solution for resin producers accustomed to using very low concentrations. The
Figure 3: Coefficient of friction of cast PET film produced with no slip additive compared against samples containing IncroMax 100 and silica Source: Cargill
line includes an FDA food contact-compliant PFAS-free PPA, a globally-compliant PFAS-Free PPA, and one that is globally compliant and siloxane-free. The additives eliminate melt fracture, reduce die buildup for less downtime and offer increased throughput, similar to fluoro-based PPAs. In cast PET film production, Cargill’s IncroMax 100 additive can be used in combination with silica to optimise coefficient of friction. The company says that in very thin cast PET film extrusion, the slip additive must bloom quickly to fill the large surface area. It says its studies have shown that its organic, bio-based IncroMax 100 additive is compatible with the inorganic silica often used in such formula- tions, and that the silica helps carry and disperse the additive efficiently. “[The] IncroMax additive may replace or comple- ment other slip additives commonly used in cast PET formulations,” said Emile Homsi, R&D manager for polymer additives at Cargill. “IncroMax 100 additive is designed to provide controlled and consistent slip performance while minimising negative effects on other properties of the polymer. Its compatibility with silica likely contributes to its ability to enhance slip in cast PET without compromising other essential attributes of the material [Figure 3].”
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.milliken.com �
www.basf.com �
www.clariant.com �
https://siigroup.com/ �
www.baerlocher.com �
www.doverchem.com/doverclear �
www.evonik.com �
www.ampacet.com �
www.cargill.com
18 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | March 2024
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: AMPACET
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