Dow Performance Silicones, a division of DowDuPont Materials Science (Wilmington, Delaware / USA; www.dow-dupont.com), has launched a non-migrating silicone additive for BOPP film. Based on heritage Dow Corning silicone technology, the “HMB-6301” masterbatch is said to address the key drawbacks of standard agents, such as organic waxes that are widely used in BOPP film for packaging manufacturing because of their effective slip performance. However, waxes, such as erucamide, migrate from the film surface and degrade over time and under elevated temperatures. This migration can increase the haze level of clear film and also negatively impact printing.

“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,” explained Christophe Paulo, global segment leader at Dow Performance Silicones.

Dow said that unlike other slip additives, HMB-6301 is added only to the outer layer of BOPP film and, as it does not migrate, the solution preserves the effectiveness of printing and metallisation. In addition, because the technology is stable over time and temperature, its slip properties are permanent. Furthermore, the additive does not bloom or significantly affect the optical properties of transparent film.

The masterbatch has been developed for both BOPP and PP cast films that are used mainly in food bags, wrappers, packages and pouches. It is suitable for both sequential and simultaneous stretching lines.