Solenis Helps Major Brand Owner Meet Water and Oil Penetration Resistance in Thermoformed Molded Fiber Trays

GoalMeet water and oil resistance goal in thermoformed molded fiber trays.

<h6>Customer Challenge</h6> <p>A North American brand owner was challenged to develop a PFAS-free solution for QSR (Quick Serve Restaurant) food trays that met their barrier requirements i.e. could achieve BPI composability certification and be compliant with FDA food contact requirements.&nbsp; Minimum barrier requirements included prevention of hot water (95℃) and warm oil (45℃) penetration through the article for at least 30 minutes.&nbsp; This was previously achieved using an internal application of AKD and PFAS.</p> <h6>Recommended Solution</h6> <p>Solenis&rsquo; Contour program, comprising TopScreen&trade; oil and grease resistant barrier coatings (MF100, MF200, and MF300) were selected as a total solution program to provide required water and oil resistance while meeting compostability requirements and FDA food contact compliance.</p> <p>The program design for the primarily bagasse and bamboo fiber furnish included MF100 at 3-6%, MF200 at 3%, and MF300 at 6-9% all on as &ldquo;as-received product&rdquo; basis.&nbsp; The MF300 emulsion is added first at a point of good mixing with the stock followed by the MF200 emulsion and MF100.&nbsp; No make-down is required.&nbsp; System pH is controlled in the range of 5.5-6.0 for best efficiency.&nbsp; In this particular case no additional retention program was required.</p> <h6>Results Achieved</h6> <ul> <li>Final food tray articles meet hot water and warm oil penetration requirement of 30 minutes or more utilizing TopScreen MF300.</li> <li>Further work utilizing TopScreen MF300-AP, a V1.5 technology, was able to meet the hot water requirements while increasing the warm oil penetration performance to 55℃ for 30 minutes.</li> <li>Minimal additional equipment investment was required, as existing chemical metering equipment systems could be utilized.</li> <li>Finished articles have &ldquo;non-detectable&rdquo; or &ldquo;zero&rdquo; levels of fluorine and have achieved BPI compostability certification.</li> <li>Final cost of the PFAS-free, compostable, FDA compliant solution achieved at less than 10% premium &nbsp;</li> </ul>