Dow Introduces Non-migrating Silicone Additive for BOPP Film

Dow Performance Silicones, a global business unit of DowDuPont Materials Sciences division, launched Dow Corning HMB-6301 Masterbatch, a unique, patent-pending solution based on the heritage Dow Corning silicone technology platform. This masterbatch delivers stable, long-term slip performance without migration to facilitate packaging production processing of bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film. The 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 Malaysia’s 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.
 
“This solution helps customers reduce harmful friction during BOPP film production – which can affect film appearance and cause interruptions – we have developed Dow Corning HMB-6301 Masterbatch,” said Van Thanh Nam, business development team leader, Dow Performance Silicones. “This technology surpasses conventional slip additives and enables customers to maximize film quality, consistency and productivity.”

Dow Corning HMB-6301 Masterbatch is engineered for BOPP and PP cast films used mainly in food packaging, namely 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.

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 CorningHMB-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.




Photo courtesy Dow Performance Silicones