Avient Corporation has announced the expansion of its Hiformer non-PFAS process aid portfolio in the Asian market with two new liquid grades designed for polyolefin film applications. The new formulations include a siloxane-based liquid process aid and a non-siloxane liquid variant, enabling selection of a solution matched to the specific processing and regulatory requirements of film producers in the region. The portfolio expansion reflects growing demand for PFAS-free solutions in the flexible packaging segment, driven by regulatory pressure and by expectations from end users.
"The demand for non-PFAS solutions is accelerating rapidly in the flexible packaging industry," said Derrick Chan, General Manager of Color and Additives, Southeast Asia, at Avient. "Our new Hiformer Non-PFAS Process Aid grades represent a significant advancement to address the changing needs of film producers in Asia, helping them remain competitive and meet changing regulations."
Characteristics of the new liquid Hiformer grades
The new liquid Hiformer non-PFAS process aids have been developed for processing polyolefin films, in particular films for flexible packaging. According to the company, the formulations provide low dosage requirements, which is relevant from a cost-efficiency standpoint, while enabling rapid clearing of melt fracture during extrusion. These solutions are positioned at prices competitive with alternative solid non-PFAS additives available on the market.
The developed grades meet FDA food contact requirements and are aligned with evolving European Union standards in this area. The application range covers primarily blown film extrusion, including films for food packaging, agricultural films and industrial films, as well as extrusion blow molding for bottle production. As a result, the new additives can be used in a broad spectrum of polyolefin packaging, where both processing performance and regulatory compliance for food contact materials are important.
Internal test results and dosage parameters
According to Avient's internal test data, the new liquid Hiformer non-PFAS grades, used at ultra-low levels of 0.1–0.4%, delivered significantly better results than four leading solid non-PFAS competitor formulations across several key processing aspects. The main benefits cited include rapid melt fracture clearing, excellent retention of film transparency, balloon stability even at very low film gauges, and a low risk of black speck and gel formation.
For a three-layer high-density polyethylene (HDPE) paper lamination film, the liquid Hiformer formulations can be dosed at target levels of 0.12–0.15%. Under these conditions, according to the producer, they can clear sharkskin defects in less than 20 minutes. This demonstrates the potential of the new additives in applications where surface defects on the film have a direct impact on the final laminate quality and on subsequent converting processes.
Impact on line operating conditions and process integration
In addition to parameters directly related to the extrusion process, Avient highlights the possibility of operating at lower processing temperatures compared with conventional solid process aids. Lower operating temperatures can contribute to reduced energy consumption and support the achievement of sustainability objectives in film processing plants.
The new liquid Hiformer non-PFAS grades are compatible with standard film finishing and converting processes used in the packaging industry. They can be applied in lines employing corona treatment, flame treatment, printing and lamination operations. This facilitates their integration into existing production workflows without the need for major modifications to equipment or operating conditions at subsequent processing stages.
Manufacturing and availability
The latest liquid Hiformer non-PFAS process aids are manufactured at Avient facilities located in Asia, but are available globally. This means that solutions developed to address the growing requirements of film producers in the Asian region can also be used by processors in other parts of the world who are seeking alternatives to PFAS-containing additives.
Avient expands the Hiformer non-PFAS portfolio with new liquid process aids for polyolefin films, including food packaging, agricultural and industrial films, and extrusion blow molded bottles
