Dow introduces low density LSR for improved processing, recycling

Midland, Michigan – Dow Inc has commercially launched its first low density liquid silicone rubber (LSR) for injection moulding, which it says offers improved processing and high resilience while being easy to recycle. 

Currently available to brand owners and formulators in Europe and North America, the material is best suited for application in food dosing valves, closures, dispensers, seals, gaskets and other food contact applications, Dow announced 24 March.

While allowing manufacturers to meet their recycling targets, Silastic 9250-40 material, enables “attractive gains versus standard LSR or TPE in processing and in-use performance,” said Nathalie Gerard, European market manager consumer rubber, Dow Consumer Solutions.

According to Dow, the white, low viscosity LSR has been designed specifically for the moulding of closures and dispensers in a wide range of consumer packaging applications, as its low compression set allows reliable sealing. 

In addition, the material offers high resilience, enabling valves to offer “superior dispensing performance compared to existing solutions.”

Furthermore, according to Dow, the material’s low density makes it floatable, a key feature that helps separate the material during the sorting process.  

“With a specific gravity of only 0.97, Silastic 9250-40 LSR can be split from higher density plastics in a gravity-separation process,” said Dow, adding that the feature would enable the production of “high-quality recycled feedstocks.”