Company: Dow Coating Materials

Website: www.dow.com

Equipment Snapshot: Oil and grease don’t stand a chance against the newest RHOBARR Binders from Dow Coating Materials, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company. RHOBARR Binders are strengthening oil and grease resistance (OGR) barrier coatings to help paper-based packaging withstand oil and water.

The new FDA and BfR food contact compliant RHOBARR Binders are a milestone in OGR barrier coating technology. RHOBARR Binders are fluorocarbon-free, offering the creation of high-quality, highly resistant paper-based packaging for food and beverages, dry goods and other consumer products, while helping manufacturers and brand owners meet growing consumer demand for safe packaging.

“RHOBARR binders are a market disruptor in the paper-based packaging industry,” said Bob Gargione, global business director for Functional Coatings at Dow Coating Materials. “We’re seeing a shift in consumers—they want convenient and more sustainable packaging options. RHOBARR binders give the entire packaging supply chain a long-term solution to protect paper and paperboard packaging from damage from oil and grease, while excluding materials of concern to consumers.”

RHOBARR Binders can be formulated into high-performing, thin-film coatings that retain flexibility when folded. This quality helps manufacturers improve material efficiency without sacrificing the coating’s functionality as a protective barrier.

The first in the platform, RHOBARR 130 and 110 Binders are compatible with a variety of additives and pigments to allow for customized performance across a wide range of applications. Performance attributes include hot block resistance, fatty acid barrier, improved liquid water barrier and retained properties when folded. Both grades are offered at high solids in a low viscosity, aqueous emulsion. Ongoing testing for RHOBARR 130 and 110 Binders is underway to meet the needs of specific applications and markets.