Seeking Non-Silicon Antifoams for High Temperature Oil-Based Applications

• A material
• A technology
• A partner

A SpecialChem Client is seeking technology to provide foam control in vegetable frying oils.  They are currently using silicon-based agents, and are seeking alternatives that can provide comparable functionality.

Frying oils are subjected to relatively extreme conditions during use (e.g. temps >180°C) that can impact their stability and effective use life.  Many factors (e.g. moisture, food particles, polar compounds generated from oil oxidation) also contribute to the production of stable foams during the use life of the oil.  These foams can cause safety risks for food service operators by bubbling over the edge of the fryer, and indicate the end of the effective use life of the oil.  Many providers address these safety and use life challenges by incorporating silicone based polymers (e.g. dimethyl polysiloxane – DMPS) into the frying oil to serve as an antifoaming agent.

In recent years consumers have been seeking greater transparency on where their food is coming from, with a desire for minimally processed, simple or natural ingredients.  Of particular concern are ‘artificial’ sounding materials that are listed on product labels.  Many consumers perceive these products don’t have ‘clean’ labels, and are actively avoiding them.  Silicon based antifoams are one of the materials that have come under consumer scrutiny, and as a result we are looking for alternative materials that can provide comparable activity at a comparable cost in use.

The SpecialChem Client is a major global supplier of frying oil solutions. An antifoam agent capable of replacing current silicon-based agents used could become a standard and address a significant challenge faced by food service operators.  The current market size of frying oils with silicon based defoamers is approximately $1.8 billion.

• Must Haves
  • A description of the mechanism of action of the antifoam agent in current applications (even if not in food applications)
  • Data demonstrating antifoam performance in oil based systems or the like
  • Data demonstrating thermal stability of any additives after extended exposure to high temperature: 180°C for 48+ hours.

• Nice to Haves
  • Ingredients that are recognizable to consumers or perceived as ‘natural’
  • Additives that have minimal impact on oil color/appearance/aroma.   
  • Materials that can be listed with the FDA as ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’ (GRAS).
  • Ability to be Kosher and Halal certified
  • An indication of cost-in-use of additives in current applications

We recognize that some potential solutions may not have performance data in the intended application.  We also recognize that some materials that provide the desired functionality may not currently be usable in food based applications.  The client is willing to review submissions that may require additional R&D to bring a novel solution to market.

• Materials providing comparable function in other industries (e.g. pharmaceuticals, personal care, lubricants, metalworking fluids, oil and gas, etc.)
• Natural / plant based compounds

• Silicon-based technologies (like DMPS: dimethyl polysiloxane)
• Materials that have not been previously evaluated in high temperature applications

• Key milestones in the process:
  • Submission review within six weeks after end of promotion period.
  • Preliminary evaluations to be conducted through July 2016.

• Concept
• Proven Concept
• Ready-to-use solution

• Licensing
• Contractual partnership
• Joint-Venture
• Buying