Emulsifiers for the Polymers Industry

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By Ekaterina Merzlikina, Technical Sales Manager, Polymers Industry

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Palsgaard’s solutions for the Polymers Industry

Antifogging agents

prevent the formation of water droplets on the surface of food packaging and agricultural film

applications

Antistatic agents

dissipat the electric charges, avoiding dust attraction on the surface packaging

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Fogging of food plastics packaging

Fogging is formation of small discrete droplets of water from vapor on the surface of plastic films of other plastics

packaging

Reasons of the fogging?

In food packaging fogging occurs as a result of drop in temperature when food and other products with a high content of

moist are packed in a closed system and stored in cold places

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Antifogging solutions

Fogging problems can be avoided if an antifogging agent is used for

production of food plastics packaging and agricultural films

Antifogging agents have the same chemical structure as emulsifiers and

lubricate the water on the surface, preventing the creation of water

droplets on the surface

They work by migrating from polyethylene to the surface of the

packaging and make the surface more hydrophilic

As a result, the water droplets settled on the surface will spread on the

packaging surface, making the fog inside disappear and the packaging

become clear

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Antifogging agents

Palsgaard® A-F DMG HO

short term antifogging performance effective at low in dosage (0.6%) recommended for food wrap films

Chemical composition:Distilled monoglycerides is based on sunflower

Physical form at 25 C:Paste form

Palsgaard® A-F PGE HO

Short and long term antifogging performance (up to 18 months) effective at low in dosage (0.4%) recommended for food and agricultural films

Chemical composition:Polyglycerol esters is produced by esterification of polyglycerols

with vegetable-based fatty acids. Physical form at 25 C:Liquid form

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Performance test of Palsgaard® A-F DMG HO

Performance test was done by NORNER, Independent Industrial Polymer Institute from Norway.

Cold Fog Testing: 100 ml of tap water at 20°C were filled into 300ml glass beakers and covered with samples of the films. The beakers were placed at refrigerated conditions (4°C) for three hours. The appearance of the films were observed at regular intervals Compared with a well-recognised agent (distilled monoglyceride; unsaturated fatty acids)

Conclusion: Palsgaard® A-F DMG HO show better short term antifogging properties in LDPE film compared with same concentration of the monoglyceride reference.

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Performance test of Palsgaard® A-F PGE HO

Performance test was done by NORNER, Independent Industrial Polymer Institute from Norway

Cold Fog Testing: 100 ml of tap water at 20°C were filled into 300ml glass beakers and covered with samples of the films. The beakers were placed at refrigerated conditions (4°C) for three hours. The appearance of the films were observed at regular intervals Compared with a well-recognised agent (distilled monoglyceride; unsaturated fatty acids)

Conclusion: 

Palsgaard A-F PGE HO have the needed properties to be a efficient long term antifogging agent for greenhouse applications based on cold fog test until 18 months after LDPE film production.

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Static problems

Electrical properties of plastics

Due to their chemical constitution, most plastic types are very good electrical insulation materials. Because of this many

plastics are used as insulating materials in the electronics industry.

The high electrical resistivity however, leads to an undesired property, namely that the material is prone to accumulating

electrostatic charges. Plastic materials create static electricity.

Negative aspects of static electricity in plastics Processing problem such as difficulty of film blowing, stacking of plastic packaging Handling problem during packaging, transport, storage and packaging Electrical discharge which may give electrical shocks to employees Safety risks - start a fire or cause an explosion Dust pick up, which

can ruin clarity and/or the sales appeal of items packages in plastic packaging can create difficulties for further packaging operation, such as self-adhesive and/or shrink labeling

Antistatic agents helps to overcome the problems which arise due to static electricity.

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Antistatic agents

Palsgaard® A-S DMG P powder / pellets forms

Short term and long term high effective antistatic performance Effective at low in dosage (0.6%) Distilled monoglycerides based on vegetable oil, contain about 90% of

monoglyceride Palsgaard® A-S MDG 65 P powder/ pellets forms

Short term antistatic performance Effective at low dosage (0.6%) Mono- and diglyceride based on vegetable oil, contain about 60% of

monoglyceride Palsgaard® A-S DMG RP pellets form

Long term high effective antistatic performance Effective at low in dosage (0.6%) Distilled monoglyceride based on vegetable oil, contain about 90% of

monoglyceride 

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Performance test of Palsgaard® A-F PGE HO

Performance test was done by NORNER, Independent Industrial Polymer Institute from Norway

Static Decay time measured by Static Decay Meter Model 406D (ets)The samples were charged to ±5kV and the time to dissipate 90% of the charge was measuredComparative study with a well-recognised reference GMS 90 (GMS90-REF)

Conclusion: 

Palsgaard® A-S DMG P shows improved short terms antistatic properties in compared with the concentration of the reference GMS90, as analysed for within 1 week after sample Injection moulding

Palsgaard® A-S DMG P shows as good long terms antistatic performance as reference until 22 weeks after injection moulding

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Performance test of Palsgaard® A-S DMG 65 P

Performance test was done by NORNER, Independent Industrial Polymer Institute from Norway

Static Decay time measured by Static Decay Meter Model 406D (ets)The samples were charged to ±5kV and the time to dissipate 90% of the charge was measuredComparative study with a well-recognised reference GMS 60 (GMS60-REF)

Conclusion: 

Palsgaard® A-S MDG 65P show as good antistatic performance in PP homopolymer compared with same concentration of the reference GMS 60, as analysed until 22 weeks after injection moulding

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Performance test of Palsgaard® A-S DMG RP

Performance test was done by NORNER, Independent Industrial Polymer Institute from Norway

Static Decay time measured by Static Decay Meter Model 406D (ets)The samples were charged to ±5kV and the time to dissipate 90% of the charge was measured

Comparative study with a well-recognised reference GMS 90 (GMS90-REF)

Conclusion: 

Palsgaard® A-S MDG 65P show as good long term antistatic performance in PP homopolymer compared with same concentration of the reference GMS 90, as analysed until 16 weeks after injection moulding

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Benefits from Palsgaard’s products

• Optimal cost- in-use

• Excellent performance

• Low dosage 0.4 – 0,8 %

• Different forms of products: liquids, paste, powder and pellets

• REACH certified

• Vegetable based – meet safety and sustainability requirements

• Food grade products

• Kosher & Halal certified

Product list for the Polymers Industry

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