Are Siloxane-based Processing Aids Sustainable Alternatives for Food Packaging?

Last update on Aug 21, 2024

An Interview with Dr. Cheng Diao and Kadriye Hieronymi from Momentive Performance Materials

Momentive Performance Materials is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for the advanced materials industry. This is exemplified by their innovative PFAS-free polymer processing aid, Silquest™ PA-1.

Silquest™ PA-1 offers comparable performance to traditional PFAS-based additives at similar dosages. Designed to enhance polyolefin extrusion it also addresses growing environmental and health concerns. Key features and benefits of Silquest™ PA-1 include:

Suitable for food contact applications
Processability
Economical
Increased production
Improved products & surface characteristics
Printability

Being a sustainable option, Silquest™ PA-1 is exempted from stringent EU regulations. Its real-world applications range from flexible food packaging, wire & cable to PE piping.

We interviewed Dr. Cheng Diao, Technology Manager for the Polymer & Electronics Additive at Momentive, and Kadriye Hieronymi, Product Stewardship Business Partner for CAS/PE at Momentive. They explain the key properties of the sustainable Silquest™ PA-1 that stand out from other processing aids. Also, get insights into Momentive's plans for sustainable processing aids that can best suit your needs.

#1. Can you provide an overview of Momentive and its role in the advanced materials industry?

Momentive, a global leader in silicone and silane specialties, continually strives to create solutions for a sustainable world. They have manufacturing, technical service, and R&D capabilities across the globe to prioritize speed, communication, and support for their customers.

At Momentive, they develop innovative products that solve sustainability challenges for their customers and society. For example, identifying alternatives for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a critical challenge facing many applications and Momentive is pioneering sustainable replacement solutions.

#2. What inspired Momentive to develop Silquest™ PA-1 as an alternative to PFAS?

Historically, PFAS-based processing aids have dominated the polyolefin processing industry. However, the growing health and environmental concerns catalyzed their efforts to promote a more sustainable siloxane-based alternative. From a surface energy perspective, siloxane-based chemistries are the next best technology to replace fluoropolymer processing aids.

Silquest™ PA-1 is an organo-silicone material that was specifically engineered to enhance polyolefin extrusion. This is a multi-functional additive that can eliminate melt fracture in the most challenging resins without negatively impacting the surface properties of the final article. Momentive is committed to sustainability and innovation, and they believe Silquest™ PA-1 will enable the next generation of polyolefin extrusion.

#3. Is Silquest™ PA-1 a sustainable alternative for PFAS polymer processing aids?

To address this question, let us examine each material class through a regulatory lens. PFAS materials have been under the regulatory scope for decades. These substances are seen as 'forever chemicals' with very high persistence in the environment, very high bioaccumulation, and ecotoxicity.

EU restrictions have focused on cyclic methylsiloxanes and their pure use in cosmetic formulations. Silicone polymers, such as Silquest™ PA-1, have never been of concern. Furthermore, the restrictions are not targeting industrial uses or their use in polymer production. In fact, Silquest™ PA-1 as a processing aid for polyolefin extrusion is exempt from these regulations [Annex entry paragraphs 4 & 5 under REACH].

Silquest™ PA-1 offers comparable performance at a similar dosage and allows their customers to operate confidently with a sustainable substitution.

#4. How does Silquest™ PA-1 compare to traditional PFAS in terms of performance?

Silquest™ PA-1 is a PFAS-free polymer processing aid with high thermal stability that can:

eliminate melt fracture,
reduce die lip build-up, and
enable fast & continuous processing

This additive has proven to be effective in the most challenging polyolefin resins (e.g., fractional MFI m-LLDPE resins) without negatively impacting the final article's properties.

Silquest™ PA-1 is suitable for food contact applications and effective at low dosages.

Compared to the PFAS benchmark, Silquest™ PA-1 offers enhanced lubrication kinetics enabling plastic converters to eliminate melt fracture faster and maintain the extrusion process undisrupted for a longer time. In an internal blown film study, Silquest™ PA-1 was able to clear melt fracture 4x faster than the PFAS polymer processing aid benchmark.

Clearing Melt Fracture Using 1000 ppm Silquest™ PA-1

#5. Can you discuss any real-world applications where Silquest™ PA-1 has been successfully implemented?

Silquest™ PA-1 is commercially available and currently being used in the global food packaging industry at various points along the plastic value chain (resin producers, additive compounders, and plastic converters).
Silquest™ PA-1 is a versatile product. The active ingredient is non-reactive and has demonstrated good compatibility with other additive packages commonly used in plastic conversion processes (e.g., antioxidants, anti-blocks, and slip additives).
Silquest™ PA-1 has proven to be an effective polymer processing aid in a variety of polyolefin extrusion applications such as flexible food packaging (blown & cast film), wire and cable, and cross-linked PE piping.

Applications of Silquest™ PA-1

#6. What future developments or innovations can we expect from Momentive in sustainable processing aids?

Silicone additives can be viscous liquids that require additional metering systems for accurate dosing during extrusion processes. Momentive is continuing to develop methodologies to supply Silquest™ PA-1 in forms that best suit their customers' needs.

Momentive has a dedicated global innovation team that constantly strives to ensure their customers have the best-performing PFAS-free processing aid in the market. This is done by examining additives' interactions, providing optimal dosing strategies, and working closely with customers to get the best processing aid performance.

About Dr. Cheng Diao

Dr. Cheng Diao is the Technology Manager for the Polymer & Electronics Additive segment at Momentive. He oversees multiple platform technologies in polymer applications, focusing on the segment's technology growth strategy, innovation, and the introduction of new products to the market.

Before joining Momentive, Dr. Cheng worked as a research scientist at NBD Nanotechnologies, a startup company. He earned his PhD in Material Science & Engineering from the University of Connecticut.

About Kadriye Hieronymi

Kadriye Hieronymi is the Product Stewardship Business Partner for CAS/PE at Momentive. Kadriye focuses on segment strategy and operating as the Product Stewardship point of contact for the CAS/PE segment within the Performance Additives Business Unit. She is responsible for providing a proactive view of regulatory impacts on current and future products and their uses.

Kadriye has over 10 years of experience in Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs, in the EU and United States. Before joining Momentive, she worked as a Regulatory Affairs Manager for Biocides, leading the Global Registrations for the repellent Active Ingredient Icaridin/Picaridin. Before that, she served at ADM as Manager of Global Regulatory Science.

DISCLAIMER: All images used in this article are copyright of Momentive Performance Materials.