Dow Corning launches new silicone masterbatch with effective slip resistance for FFS packaging

Dow Corning has launched a new silicone masterbatch that is designed to reduce the coefficient of friction (COF) in high-speed form-fill-seal (FFS) packaging operations.

The new MB25-035 Masterbatch, unveiled at Chinaplas, is an advanced silicone-based formulation developed as an alternative to organic additives, whose slip performance is known to degrade over time and at elevated temperatures.

Used as a slip additive for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blown film, Dow Corning says MB25-035 Masterbatch only needs to be incorporated in the outside layer of the film, unlike organics that are used in all layers. This saves money and prevents migration into package contents.

Additionally, Dow Corning MB25-035 Masterbatch prevents die build-up and gel deposition, and disperses easily and completely for optimal slip performance.

“Dow Corning has taken the lead in developing a next-generation slip technology to help manufacturers around the world address the demands and stresses of high-speed, high-volume FFS processing,” said Christophe Paulo, Global Segment Leader, Plastics & Composites For Dow Corning.

“Our new MB25-035 Masterbatch offers superior performance – from smooth dosing to extended slip performance to the elimination of troublesome build-up – enabling our customers to optimise their productivity and avoid the interruptions commonly caused by competitive products, particularly organics.”

Advantages over Organics

Because commonly used organic slip additives, including erucamide and oleamide, rapidly migrate to the film surface and dissipate in a short period of time, delays between film extrusion and FFS operations can result in a loss of slip performance. Organics also lose effectiveness at elevated temperatures, such as exposure to hot foods. They can migrate between film surfaces during rolling and storage, a common issue in film applications that can influence the downstream process that packaging materials usually undergo, such as printing, sealing and handling.

Unlike organics, Dow Corning says its specialised formulation prevents the migration of the slip additive between film surfaces during rolling and storage. MB25-035 Masterbatch is said to retain excellent COF reduction values at low loadings – for example, 0.2 COF in film against steel contact at three percent loading. Additionally, the new product does not exhibit stickiness and enables smooth feeding into the extruder. Further, it does not build up on extrusion dies or deposit gels on the film surface.

Dow Corning MB25-035 Masterbatch is compliant with U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union (EU) 10-2011 food contact requirements, which are emulated in many Asian nations. This masterbatch is cost-effective, says Dow Corning, due to its ability to use low loadings, its incorporation in only the outer layer of multi-layer films and its effective dispersion that enhances slip performance.

Engineered for LDPE resins and blends, and designed to be compatible with linear low-density PE (LLDPE) for FFS and lamination as well, Dow Corning MB25-035 Masterbatch is supplied in easy-to-dose pellets and is available globally.