Anti-fog concentrate clears the way for polypropylene food packaging

Croda Polymer Additives has launched a new anti-fog concentrate, which is claimed to provide a unique solution to fogging in clear polypropylene food packaging. Proven in tests to be effective in both hot and cold fogging applications, Atmer 7373 is said to work by preventing droplet formation on plastic surfaces, keeping food looking fresher for longer.

Adam Maltby, Croda’s Polymer Additives Applications Manager, said: ”Atmer 7373 is effective in most grades of polypropylene, and results have been particularly good in PP homopolymer. We have not seen any other product on the market that delivers such effective performance in both hot and cold fogging environments.

“As a highly loaded concentrate it is particularly useful for converters who can easily handle its pellet form.  It is also useful for masterbatch producers who either cannot or do not wish to handle soft and pasty raw materials.”

The product’s unique formulation is said to overcome many of the processing difficulties encountered when using traditional additives at the levels needed to impart effective anti-fogging. Typical processing problems can include screw slip or over-lubrication in the extruder barrel, and excess fuming.

“Atmer 7373 is a 40% concentrate supplied in pellet form for easy dosing, so opens up new opportunities for film and sheet producers in particular. It additionally helps to control the rate of migration and allows an even dispersion of the additive on the polymer surface,” concluded Maltby.

Scientifically formulated for clear polypropylene films and containers, Atmer 7373 is fully food approved.