In September, materials sciences company Dow announced the launch of Dow’s DOWSIL 5-1050 Polymer Processing Aid (PPA), designed to address the growing demand for alternatives to fluoropolymer-based PPAs for polyethylene film applications.
Explaining its features, Mubashir Ansari, technical service & development scientist at Dow, told Packaging South Asia that as demand grows for film packaging manufactured without fluoropolymer-based polymer processing aids, DOWSIL 5-1050 PPA proves to be an effective alternative.
The technology offers primary benefits, among others, such as melt fracture mitigation and die lip build-up suppression in linear low-density polyethylene grades, leading to high-quality films.
The product is engineered for a wide range of polyethylene film applications and resin grades. “The silicone-based PPA masterbatch, formulated in a polyethylene carrier resin, is designed for use in polyethylene grades used in industrial and consumer packaging film applications, including blown films,” he explained.
The solution, he said, addresses two major challenges commonly encountered in polyethylene processing. First, it mitigates melt fracture, resulting in a smoother film surface and improved film optics for enhanced visual appeal.
Second, it suppresses die lip build-up. This leads to less downtime and scrap generation due to decreased cleaning frequency of the die lip. Additional performance benefits include a reduction in screen pressure, contributing to more efficient processing.
Asked how its performance compares with traditional fluoropolymer-based PPAs in terms of cost and efficiency, he said it performs comparably in addressing melt fracture and die lip build-up issues.
“Additionally, our studies on large blown film lines have shown that films produced using the DOWSIL 5-1050 PPA exhibit optical and mechanical properties comparable to those achieved with fluoropolymer-based PPAs.”
The solution is expected to perform across a wide range of film applications and polyethylene grades, and depends on several factors, including production line specifications, processing conditions, film structure and composition, and the specific polyethylene grade used.
“Our studies indicate that the desired performance—comparable to that of fluoropolymer-based polymer processing aids—can be achieved by adjusting the loading level of our masterbatch product in the customer application within the range of 1–3 wt.%, depending on various factors.”
The DOWSIL 5-1050 PPA – which complies with global regulations and has food contact approvals in the US (US FDA 21 CFR 174.5), Europe (EU 10/201), and China (GB 4806.1-2016 and GB 9685-2016) – is available globally, including in India and the broader Asian markets. Local and global technical support is available in all geographies to help customers implement the solution.
