PPG (NYSE) has announced compelling new findings on the performance benefits of its PPG FLO-GARD™ precipitated silica products as high-capacity carrying agents for bulk food and feed applications. Research reveals that PPG Flo-Gard silicas offer more than 40 times the carrying capacity of maltodextrin, a commonly used carrying and bulking agent.
PPG Flo-Gard silica excels in food free-flow and carrier applications by enhancing flavor and nutrient distribution, boosting product performance, and optimizing manufacturing efficiency. Its odorless and tasteless properties ensure it adds no unwanted flavors or calories to food. As a carrying agent, it absorbs liquids, oils, and fats, transforming them into a free-flowing powder suitable for animal feed premixes and various powdered and granulated food products.
“Precipitated silicas are well-known for their use as free-flow and anti-caking agents, but they are also highly effective carrying agents due to their large surface area and porous structure,” noted Matt Faber, PPG’s research manager for Specialty Coatings and Materials. “This study highlights their capacity and versatility, showing how precipitated silicas can boost production efficiency by enabling higher additive concentrations and greater flexibility in storage and transportation.”
In testing, sunflower oil was used to assess the carrying capacity of precipitated silica compared to maltodextrin. While maltodextrin achieved a carrying capacity of 3.75 percent by weight, the four grades of PPG Flo-Gard precipitated silicas reached capacities exceeding 66 percent. This enhanced carrying capacity leads to shorter mixing times and greater throughput, with less caking in hoppers and machinery.
“Beyond the product benefits, PPG’s precipitated silicas offer significant sustainability advantages,” said Adam Riley, PPG’s global technical manager for Specialty Coatings and Materials. “They enable smaller packaging and reduced shipping costs, which helps decrease the overall emissions associated with food production.
