PPWR PFAS Restrictions in Food Packaging: Why Film Manufacturers Need PFAS-Free Polymer Processing Aids

How SILIKE SILIMER Series Enables Sustainable and High-Efficiency Film Extrusion Without Fluorinated PPAs

Introduction: PPWR Accelerates the Transition Toward PFAS-Free Food Packaging Materials

The European packaging industry is entering a new era of regulatory transformation.

With the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2025/40, commonly known as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the European Union has established stricter requirements for packaging safety, sustainability, and circularity.

A key focus of PPWR is Article 5 – Restriction of Substances of Concern, which aims to minimize the environmental impact and potential health risks associated with hazardous substances in packaging materials.

Among these substances, PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) have become a major concern, particularly in food contact packaging applications.

Starting from 12 August 2026, food contact packaging containing PFAS above specified threshold limits will no longer be allowed to enter the EU market.

For packaging manufacturers, converters, and material suppliers, this regulatory change creates an urgent need to:

¤ Review existing raw materials and additives

¤ Improve supply chain transparency

¤ Establish reliable compliance documentation

¤ Transition toward PFAS-free material solutions

PPWR PFAS Limits: New Compliance Requirements for Food Packaging

Under PPWR Article 5(5), food contact packaging materials must meet specific PFAS threshold requirements.

The regulation introduces three important testing criteria:

Among these requirements, the Total Fluorine limit of 50 ppm is particularly important for the plastics industry because it may impact materials containing fluorinated polymer components.

This creates new challenges for manufacturers producing:

¤ Flexible food packaging films

¤ Barrier packaging films

¤ Multilayer co-extrusion films

¤ PE and PP film structures

How PFAS Restrictions Impact Food Packaging Film Extrusion

Food packaging films require excellent processing performance to achieve:

¤ High production efficiency

¤ Stable extrusion

¤ Smooth surface appearance

¤ Consistent mechanical properties

For decades, fluorinated polymer processing aids (PPAs) have been widely used in film extrusion because they provide excellent processing benefits.

Traditional fluorinated PPAs help manufacturers:

¤ Reduce melt fracture(sharkskin)

¤ Improve surface smoothness

¤ Minimize die build-up

¤ Increase extrusion stability

¤ Expand processing windows

However, under increasing PFAS regulatory pressure, manufacturers are now facing a critical question:

How can food packaging film producers maintain extrusion performance while eliminating fluorinated processing aids?

The Challenge of Replacing Fluorinated PPAs in Film Production

Replacing traditional fluorinated PPAs is not simply a material substitution issue.

Film manufacturers must maintain production efficiency while avoiding common extrusion problems.

1. Melt Fracture and Sharkskin Defects

During high-speed extrusion, polymer melt can experience excessive shear stress at the die exit.

This may cause:

◊  Rough film surfaces

◊ Loss of gloss

◊  Poor appearance

◊  Reduced product quality

These problems are particularly common in:

♦ LLDPE blown films

♦ mPE films

♦ High-speed flexible packaging production

2. Die Build-Up and Production Downtime

Die build-up is another major challenge in polymer extrusion.

Accumulated deposits inside extrusion dies can result in:

◊ Frequent cleaning requirements

◊ Production interruptions

◊ Increased waste

◊ Lower productivity

For continuous film production, reducing die contamination is critical.

3. Narrow Processing Window

Modern packaging films often involve:

¤ High-speed extrusion

¤ Multiple polymer layers

¤ Recycled material incorporation

¤ Complex barrier structures

Without proper processing assistance, manufacturers may experience:

¤ Increased extrusion pressure

¤ Melt instability

¤ Poor film quality consistency

Therefore, the industry needs a new generation of processing additives that provide:

PFAS-free compliance + excellent extrusion performance.

The Growing Demand for PFAS-Free Polymer Processing Aids

As global regulations evolve, polymer processors are moving toward:

♦ Fluorine-free additives

♦ PFAS-free processing solutions

♦ Sustainable polymer technologies

The ideal alternative must deliver:

Regulatory Confidence

♦ Free from intentionally added PFAS

♦ Supports compliance with evolving packaging regulations

Processing Performance

♦ Reduce melt fracture
♦ Improve surface quality
♦ Minimize die build-up
♦ Maintain production efficiency

Application Flexibility

Suitable for PE films, PP films and multilayer packaging structures

SILIKE SILIMER Series: PFAS-Free Polymer Processing Aid Solution for Food Packaging Films

To help polymer processors transition away from fluorinated PPAs, Chengdu SILIKE Technology Co., Ltd. developed the SILIMER Series, a new generation of fluorine-free polymer processing additives designed for modern extrusion applications.

The SILIMER Series provides:

• 100% PFAS-free polymer processing additives

• Fluorine-free masterbatch solutions

• Pure fluorine-free PPA alternatives

• Solutions for PE, PP, and multilayer film extrusion

Unlike traditional fluorinated PPAs, SILIMER technology enables manufacturers to improve extrusion performance without relying on fluorochemicals.

How SILIKE SILIMER Improves Food Packaging Film Extrusion Performance

1. Reduce Melt Fracture and Improve Film Surface Quality

During extrusion, SILIMER helps reduce friction between polymer melt and processing equipment surfaces.

This improves melt flow behavior, surface smoothness, and film appearance, as well as processing stability.

For blown film and cast film applications, SILIKE SILIMER Fluorine-free polymer processing additive solutions help manufacturers achieve higher-quality surfaces while maintaining efficient production.

2. Minimize Die Build-Up and Increase Production Efficiency

SILIMER fluorine-free PPA alternatives technology helps reduce polymer adhesion and accumulation inside extrusion dies.

Benefits include:

• Reduced die cleaning frequency
• Longer continuous production runs
• Lower production interruption
• Improved manufacturing efficiency

This is especially valuable for:

• High-output blown film lines
• Long-term continuous production
• Flexible packaging manufacturing

3. Improve Multilayer Film Extrusion Stability

Modern food packaging increasingly relies on multilayer structures to provide:

• Barrier properties
• Mechanical strength
• Functional performance

Typical structures include:

• PE/EVOH/PE
• PP-based multilayer films
• Flexible barrier packaging films

SILIMER supports:

• Stable melt processing
• Improved layer consistency
• Reduced surface defects

Application Solutions for PFAS-Free Food Packaging Film Production

Blown Film Extrusion

Applications:

• LLDPE food packaging films
• mPE films
• Flexible packaging films

Processing advantages:

✓ Reduced sharkskin defects
✓ Improved bubble stability
✓ Enhanced film surface quality
✓ Stable high-speed production

Cast Film Extrusion

Applications:

• CPP films
• Stretch films
• Lamination films

Processing advantages:

✓ Lower extrusion pressure
✓ Improved transparency
✓ Better surface appearance
✓ Stable processing performance

Multilayer Co-Extrusion

Applications:

• Barrier food packaging
• High-performance flexible packaging

Processing advantages:

✓ PFAS-free processing pathway
✓ Improved melt stability
✓ Reduced extrusion defects
✓ Enhanced production reliability

Supporting the Future of Sustainable Food Packaging Manufacturing

The implementation of PPWR represents a major shift in how packaging materials are designed, processed, and evaluated.

For food packaging film manufacturers, moving away from fluorinated PPAs is becoming an important step toward:

• Regulatory compliance
• Sustainable production
• Supply chain transparency
• Long-term market competitiveness

By adopting SILIKE SILIMER Series PFAS-free polymer processing aids, polymer processors can replace traditional fluorinated PPAs while maintaining excellent extrusion efficiency and film quality.

The future of food packaging extrusion is moving toward:

PFAS-free materials, sustainable processing, and high-performance manufacturing.

About SILIKE

Chengdu SILIKE Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in silicone-based polymer additives, PFAS-free polymer processing aids, and advanced material solutions for global polymer processing industries.

The SILIMER Series provides innovative fluorine-free solutions for:

• Food packaging films
• Wire & cable compounds
• Pipes
• Fibers and monofilaments
• Other high-performance polymer extrusion applications

External Resources

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en