Epoxy silanes like GLYMO and GLYEO are adhesion promoters used in food packaging, but safety issues have prompted the development of new alternatives.
Consumers expect the food industry to provide safe products that comply with the latest regulations. FEICA, the Association of the European Adhesive and Sealant Industry, recommends avoiding the use of epoxy silanes in food contact applications, and the European Union is expected to set new limits during the course of this year. These limits will require complex testing methods that lead to challenges for converters and packaging manufacturers.
Epoxy silanes, like [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane (GLYMO) and [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyl]triethoxysilane (GLYEO), are adhesion promoters used in food packaging for applications such as laminated pouches that must be resistant to sterilization and hot filling. In some cases, they are also used for microwaveable packaging. These adhesion promoters have several favorable attributes, which is why they can be found in a variety of applications. They increase the adhesion between aluminum and polyolefin films and maintain the bond strength even at elevated temperatures.