News

To ensure that the products we manufacture are compliant and safe, SILIKE’s research and development team pays close attention to the ever-changing regulatory environment and laws and regulations, always keeping sustainable and environmentally friendly operations.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, have made worldwide news as more is learned about the potential long-term effects of these substances and regulatory bodies develop legislation to regulate them. In this article, we cover everything you need to know about PFAS, their uses, and SILIKE’s efforts to develop PFAS-free PPA Polymer Processing Aids solutions.

What is PFAS?

PFAS is a very broad term that encompasses thousands of chemicals. PFAS are widely used in everything from household cleaning products to food packaging and chemical production facilities. PFAS do not break down easily and can be absorbed by humans and animals via food or water sources. Early studies indicate that certain PFAS can negatively impact human health by increasing the risk of reproductive issues, certain cancers, and developmental delays, to name a few. Further research is required before experts understand the exposure levels at which these risks increase.

What are the PFAS regulations in the EU?

On 7 February 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the REACH restriction proposal for perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) submitted by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The proposed restriction contains the largest number of PFAS substances ever submitted(10,000 substances). Once the restriction bill comes into force, it is believed that it will have a serious impact on the whole chemical industry and the upstream and downstream supply chain. Meanwhile, SGS suggests that enterprises in the ink, coating, chemical, packaging, metal/non-metal plating, and other industries should make appropriate control strategies in advance.

What efforts is SILIKE taking to address the fluoride ban?

Globally, PFAS is widely used in many industrial and consumer products, but its potential risk to the environment and human health has attracted widespread attention. With the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) making the draft PFAS restriction public in 2023, the SILIKE R&D team has responded to the trend of the times and invested a lot of energy in using the latest technological means and innovative thinking to successfully develop PFAS-free polymer processing aids (PPAs), which makes a positive contribution to environmental protection and sustainable development. While ensuring the processing performance and quality of materials, it avoids the environmental and health risks that traditional PFAS compounds may bring.SILIKE’s PFAS-free polymer processing aids (PPA) not only comply with the draft PFAS limitations made public by ECHA but also provide a safe and reliable alternative to our customers.

What effect does the removal of PFAS have on PPA Polymer Processing Aids performance?

To validate the excellent performance of PFAS-free polymer processing aids (PPAs), the SILIEK R&D team has conducted extensive research and testing. In many cases, SILIKE’s fluorine-free PPAs provided the same or better performance than conventional fluorinated polymer PPAs, especially in areas such as lubrication performance and wear protection.

Test data for SILIKE’s fluorine-free PPAs:

·Performance on die buildup(Addition: 1%)

With Fluorine-free PPA from Chengdu SILIKE, die buildup was significantly reduced.

·Sample surface comparison: extrusion speed at 2mm/s (Addition: 2%)

Sample with Fluorine-free PPA from Chengdu SILIKE has a better surface and melt fracture significantly improved

·Torque comparison chart of fluorine-free processing aid in PE extrusion (Addition: 1% )

Sample with SILIKE fluorine-free PPA SILIMER9301, got a faster onset time and a more obviously reduction on extrusion torque.

·Critical Shear Rate Comparison Chart (Addition: 2%)

With SILIKE fluorine-free PPA, shear rate significantly increased as well as a higher extrusion rate and a better product quality.

Breaking Free from  PFAS： shaping a sustainable tomorrow with SILIKE fluorine-Free Polymer Processing Aids.

SILIKE commitment to sustainability drives us to break free from fluorine, offering innovative solutions that shape a sustainable tomorrow.The data provided above represents the real test results of SILIKE. For deeper insights into our application details and how SILIKE solutions can elevate your processing performance while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, feel free to get in touch

Contact us at Tel: +86-28-83625089 or +86-15108280799, or reach out via email: amy.wang@silike.cn.

Explore more about SILIKE’s PFAS-Free Polymer Processing Aids and how they redefine excellence in polymer processing sustainability on our website: www.siliketech.com.