Introducing ADEKA-PALMAROLE’s Blowing Agents for Synthetic Wine Corks

Various factors including rising cost of the natural material have led wine producers to seek alternatives to cork.

However, finding such an alternative has not been straightforward since not only must it function as a very effective closure and have the highest organoleptic performance, it must also retain the aesthetic look and appeal that accompanies the uncorking of the bottle that is such an integral part of the wine drinking 'experience'.

Fortunately, certain plastics offer such properties and the development of synthetic wine corks can be regarded as a success thanks to the continuous attention to aethetics and quality. This success is derived from the unique combination of:

• Food approved blowing agent
• Novel polymers

Of the polymers used today, most of the highest quality synthetic corks are made from polyolefins produced using innovative metallocene catalyst technology. This allows a soft and flexible texture to be achieved that can be injection moulded at high speed.

ADEKA-PALMAROLE offers an endothermic foaming agent for injection moulding wine corks that are food approved and meet the stict regulations for additives in plastics in direct food contact. This foaming agent is available in a number of variations to suit the technology best of the cork producer and to achieve a uniform, fine celled, top quality product.

The corks in the photos have been produced using PALMAROLE BA.M7.E to achieve the desired look and feel that is asked for by the wine producer. For the cork producer it is important that PALMAROLE BA.M7.E allows top quality corks to be produced at an economic production speed. PALMAROLE BA.M7.E is a masterbatch with 70% active component in a PP compatible polymer blend carrier which gives an excellent fine cell structured foam.

The recommended processing temperature is 150°-180°C and PALMAROLE BA.M7.E can be used for LDPE, EVA and TPE. At present, another grade with 50% active material has been developed to cater for larger tolerances in in feeding equipment accuracy and is available now under the temporary code PALMAROLE EXP 141/107.