Thursday, October 19, 2017

At Fakuma 2017, Dow Introduces Unique, Non-migrating Silicone Additive with Long-lasting Slip Performance for BOPP Film


          Dow Performance Silicones, a global business unit of DowDuPont Materials Sciences division, launched here today at Fakuma 2017 (Stand A3-3217), new Dow Corning? HMB-6301 Masterbatch, a unique, patent-pending solution based on heritage Dow Corning silicone technology platform that delivers stable, long-term slip performance without migration to facilitate packaging production processing of bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film. This advanced silicone-based technology addresses key drawbacks of standard slip agents, including continuous migration from the film surface and degradation over time and under elevated temperatures. Dow Corning HMB-6301 Masterbatch can benefit BOPP film converters and processors by lowering the coefficient of friction (COF) to optimize packaging production efficiencies, and by enabling superior printing and metallization for high-quality, attractive packaging.

          "Friction is a recurring problem in packaging production using BOPP film (for example, form-fill-seal operations) because it can negatively affect the film's appearance, cause deformations and even rupture, which interrupts throughput," said Christophe Paulo, global segment leader, Dow Performance Silicones. "New Dow Corning HMB-6301 Masterbatch not only addresses these issues, but can free customers from storage time and temperature constraints and relieve worries about additive migration, enabling them to maximize quality, consistency and productivity."

          Fresh Approach to a Classic Challenge

          Organic waxes, such as erucamide, have been widely used in BOPP film for packaging manufacturing because of their effective slip performance. However, these waxes readily and continuously migrate from the film surface. This migration can affect the appearance and quality of packaging materials by increasing the haze level of clear film. It can also negatively impact downstream operations such as printing when the additive transfers from the slip-treated face to the corona-treated face during film winding and storage. Other drawbacks include sensitivity to elevated temperatures, and degradation of slip performance over time.

          Unlike other slip additives, Dow Corning HMB-6301 Masterbatch is added only to the outer layer of BOPP film. Because it 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. The Dow technology is also stable over time and temperature, so its excellent slip properties are permanent. Further, the additive will not bloom or significantly affect the optical properties of transparent film.

          Dow Corning HMB-6301 Masterbatch is engineered for BOPP and PP cast films used mainly in food bags, wrappers, packages and pouches, with European Union food contact compliance and U.S. FDA food contact approval in process. It is suitable for both sequential and simultaneous stretching lines. The material is supplied in easy-to-handle, free-flowing pellets and is available globally.

          About Performance Silicones

          Performance Silicones, a unit within Dow's Consumer Solutions business, delivers a portfolio of performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of customers and industries around the world. From transportation and lighting to building and construction and chemical manufacturing, Dow's Performance Silicones business helps our customers solve their most challenging problems. As a global leader in innovation and silicon-based technology, we are committed to bringing new solutions to the market that do more for our customers and continue to improve the lives of consumers worldwide. Visit www.dowcorning.com to learn more.

          About DowDuPont Materials Science Division

          DowDuPont Materials Science, a business division of DowDuPont (NYSE: DWDP), combines science and technology knowledge to develop premier materials science solutions that are essential to human progress. The division has one of the strongest and broadest toolkits in the industry, with robust technology, asset integration, scale and competitive capabilities that enable it to address complex global issues. DowDuPont Materials Science's market-driven, industry-leading portfolio of advanced materials, industrial intermediates, and plastics businesses deliver a broad range of differentiated technology-based products and solutions for customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, and consumer care. DowDuPont intends to separate the Materials Science Division into an independent, publicly traded company. More information can be found at www.dow-dupont.com.



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