Dow Performance Silicones, a global business unit of DowDuPont Specialty Products Division, introduced at Fakuma 2018 in Nexeo Solutions' stand DOW CORNING™ MB25-235 Masterbatch, a new silicone-based technology that significantly reduces the coefficient of friction (COF) of low density polyethylene (LDPE) film to optimize flexible packaging production. The new masterbatch addresses the traditional drawbacks of organic additives by delivering stable, long-lasting slip performance and avoiding migration to the film surface. It is approved for food contact under European Union, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Chinese regulations, and is well suited for use in food and non-food packaging using form-fill-seal (FFS) technology.
The new DOW CORNING™ MB25-235 Masterbatch, together with Dow Performance Silicones' 2017 launch of DOW CORNING™ HMB-6301 Masterbatch for reducing COF in bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, are the latest additions to the company's growing family of silicone-based masterbatches for flexible packaging. These products are also part of the company's extensive portfolio of silicone solutions that extend properties, enhance processing and reinforce materials.
Long-lasting Slip Performance for FFS Packaging
Reducing stress on LDPE film used in high-volume, high-speed FFS packaging operations requires stable, long-lasting slip additives to lower the COF on film surfaces. DOW CORNING MB25-235 Masterbatch is an advanced silicone slip technology that helps to increase production speed, maintain uninterrupted throughput and ensure uniform film quality.
According to company, this new masterbatch far surpasses traditional organic additives by delivering a consistently low, stable COF that is unaffected by time duration or temperature. It maintains the film's critical mechanical properties like tensile and tear strength. Importantly, unlike organics, DOW CORNING MB25-235 Masterbatch will not migrate to the film surface. Non-migration between film layers or between the film and package contents helps prevent impact on downstream operations, such as printing and metallization and potential contamination of food or other contents.
Another benefit of the new product is its cost-effectiveness. Unlike organics, it only needs to be incorporated into the outer (skin) layer of multi-layer films, reducing the amount required. It is effective at low loadings of 2wt%-4wt% in the desired film layer, which also minimizes haze.
DOW CORNING MB25-235 Masterbatch is approved for food contact under the European Union 10-2011, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Chinese GB4806.1-2016 and GB9685-2016 regulations.
Broad Masterbatch Portfolio for Flexible Packaging
In addition to DOW CORNING MB25-235 Masterbatch, Dow Performance Silicones offers many other additives for enhancing the performance and processing of flexible packaging. DOW CORNING HMB-6301 Masterbatch, for example, is engineered for BOPP and polypropylene (PP) cast films used in food bags, wrappers, packages and pouches. It meets EU and U.S. FDA food contact compliance requirements. This slip agent lowers friction that can negatively affect the film's appearance and cause deformations and ruptures.
Because DOW CORNING HBM-6301 Masterbatch is non-migrating, there is no transfer from the silicone-treated face to the corona-treated face. By avoiding impact on surface tension of the corona-treated face, the solution preserves the effectiveness of printing and metallization. Further, the masterbatch will not bloom or significantly affect the optical properties of transparent film.
The Dow Performance Silicones' portfolio of silicone-based masterbatch technologies for packaging applications also include:
- DOW CORNING™ MB50-001 Masterbatch for reducing COF and preventing scratching/marring in PP;
- DOW CORNING™ MB50-002 Masterbatch, which improves processing and flow of LDPE resin, and enhances surface aesthetics;
- DOW CORNING™ MB25-502 Masterbatch, which optimizes processability of LDPE and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
- DOW CORNING™ MB25-501 Masterbatch for improving slip performance and processability of PP.
