Tosaf, manufacturer of additives, compounds and colour masterbatches for the plastics industry, has developed processing aids for the extrusion of polyolefins that do not contain fluoroelastomers. They can be used without restriction in place of conventional products affected by the PFAS debate, are suitable for a wide range of film applications and fulfil the requirements of the FDA and EFSA for use in contact with food.
In laboratory tests, Tosaf compared the processing properties of a metallocene PE LLD with those of compounds based on this material. One of these contained the Standard fluoroelastomer-based processing aids from Tosaf (AP5645PE EU), while the reference materials contained the alternative PFAS-free products. The results for the flow behaviour in the capillary rheometer and for the pressure reduction in the extruder die were largely consistent. The comparison of the optical properties - light transmission, haze and clarity - even showed Slight advantages for PFAS-free solutions, compared to both the pure PE-LLD and the compound with the previous standard processing aid. With regard to the coefficient of friction, the film produced with the PFAS-free solution showed a minimally lower value.
One current customer application is a 5-layer coex line in which one per cent of Tosaf's PFAS-free processing aid AP9709PE EU is used in the outer layer. Compared to a standard processing aid containing PFAS, this enables a 5 °C to 10 °C lower melt temperature, combined with a significantly reduced occurrence of melt fracture and improved optical properties. The films can be easily printed, sealed and laminated.
„This and other customer data for single and multi-layer film extrusion consistently confirms the results of our extensive laboratory testing. Tosaf has once again demonstrated that its expertise, combined with its state-of-the-art research, development and testing facilities, can deliver solutions that the market demands but which were previously considered unthinkable. Particularly important for us is also the unproblematic behaviour of PFAS-free mono-material PE films in recycling. Our application engineers support manufacturers worldwide in optimising their production processes for the use of these alternative solutions.“
Dr Evgeni Zelikman, Chief Innovation Scientist at Tosaf
Source: Tosaf
