Evonik Degussa Food-Grade Silica: Premium Anti-Caking Agents for High-End Food Processing

Created on 06.30

Evonik Degussa Food-Grade Silica Anti-Caking Agent: Performance and Challenges

Evonik Degussa's food-grade silica anti-caking agents, centered on the Sipernat® and AEROSIL® product lines, hold a significant position in the global food additive market due to advanced manufacturing processes and strict quality control. The following is a detailed analysis from the aspects of product characteristics, market position, advantages, and limitations:

I. Core Product Information and Technical Parameters

1. Product Lines and Process Characteristics

• Sipernat® Series (Precipitated Silica)

Represented by Sipernat® 22S and 50S, they are produced through a precipitation process, featuring high oil absorption (e.g., Sipernat® 22S has a DBP oil absorption value of 265%) and uniform particle size distribution (average particle size 7-11.5 μm). Their porous structure can adsorb oils and moisture in food, forming a physical barrier to prevent caking, making them suitable for high-fat content foods (such as milk powder, baking fats) and powdered seasonings.

◦ Technical Parameters:

▪ SiO₂ content: ≥98% (Sipernat® 22S)

▪ Specific surface area: 190 m²/g (Sipernat® 22S)

▪ Loss on drying: ≤6% (at 105°C for 2 hours)

• AEROSIL® Series (Fumed Silica)

Represented by AEROSIL® 200F, they are prepared using a flame hydrolysis process, with nanoscale particles (average particle size 12 nm) and ultra-high specific surface area (175-225 m²/g). Their three-dimensional network structure can effectively improve the fluidity of powders, suitable for high-end dairy products, nutritional supplements and other scenarios with strict requirements on dispersibility.

◦ Technical Parameters:

▪ SiO₂ content: >99.8%

▪ Bulk density: approximately 50 g/L

▪ Compliance certifications: in line with EC No. 852/2004, FDA 21 CFR 172.480 and FAMI-QS standards

2. Analysis of Core Functions

• Anti-caking Mechanism: Through physical adsorption (oil absorption value 265-300 g/100g) and spatial barrier effect, it prevents particles from aggregating due to humidity or static electricity.

• Fluidity Optimization: The nanostructure of AEROSIL® 200F can significantly reduce the friction coefficient of powders, keeping products like milk powder loose in an environment of 40°C/75% RH.

• Carrier Function: Sipernat® 50S can adsorb liquid flavors or vitamins, converting them into free-flowing solid powders, thereby extending the shelf life of sensitive ingredients.

II. Global Market Position and Competitive Landscape

1. Market Share and Industry Ranking

• Global Competitiveness: Evonik is one of the major suppliers of fumed silica (accounting for about 35% of the high-end food-grade anti-caking agent market) and precipitated silica globally, jointly dominating the market with Cabot and Wacker.

• Regional Layout: In the Asia-Pacific region, Evonik's food-grade silica has a market share of about 18%, especially in the high-end dairy products and health products fields.

2. Competitive Advantage Areas

• Technical Barriers: The fumed AEROSIL® series is superior to competitors such as PQ and Grace in terms of nanoscale dispersibility and thermal stability (withstanding temperatures above 200°C).

• Compliance Coverage: The products have passed multiple international certifications such as FDA, EFSA, and Kosher, supporting export-oriented food processing enterprises to meet global regulatory requirements.

III. Differentiated Advantages and Technical Highlights

1. Leading Performance

• Anti-caking Efficiency: The oil absorption value of AEROSIL® 200F (280-300 g/100g) is higher than that of Grace SYLOID 63 FP (200 g/100g), performing better in high-humidity environments.

• Processing Compatibility: The high bulk density of the Sipernat® series (e.g., Sipernat® 22S is 6.2 lb/ft³) reduces electrostatic adsorption, facilitating mixing with other excipients.

2. Sustainability and Process Innovation

• Green Production: Evonik promotes the resource utilization of wastewater from the precipitation process, reducing water consumption per ton of products by 40%, which is in line with China's "Dual Carbon" policy orientation.

• Customized Services: Hydrophobic modified grades (such as AEROSIL® R972) and high specific surface area models (such as AEROSIL® 300) are provided to meet special application needs.

IV. Limitations and Application Challenges

1. Cost and Economy

• High Cost of Fumed Method: The price of the AEROSIL® series is 30-50% higher than that of precipitated products, limiting its application in low-end foods (such as ordinary table salt).

• Sensitivity to Addition Amount: Excessive use may lead to excessive dispersion of powders, affecting food taste (such as graininess when milk powder is brewed).

2. Regulations and Compatibility

• Regional Restrictions: In the European Union, the maximum usage of silica (E 551) in table salt is 5 g/kg, and some models of Evonik require additional permits due to particle size issues.

• Compatibility Risks: Long-term contact with strong acidic or alkaline components may reduce adsorption performance, so compatibility tests should be conducted first.

3. Dust Control

• Production Challenges: The low density (50 g/L) of the AEROSIL® series is prone to dust generation, requiring professional dust removal equipment in clean workshops.

V. Typical Application Scenarios and Effects

Field	Product Model	Core Function	Effect Data
Dairy Products	AEROSIL® 200F	Prevent milk powder from caking due to moisture absorption and improve fluidity.	In a 40°C/75% RH environment, adding 1-2% can reduce the caking rate of milk powder by 80%.
Seasonings	Sipernat® 22S	Adsorb liquid flavors, convert them into solid powders, and improve dispersibility.	Adding 2-5% to chicken essence reduces the caking rate from 35% to <5% and shortens the dispersion time to within 15 seconds.
Baked Foods	Sipernat® 50S	Prevent flour from caking due to humidity changes and optimize dough processing performance.	The ductility of the dough is improved by 12%, and the texture of the finished product is refined.
Nutritional Supplements	AEROSIL® 200F	Protect probiotics and vitamins from oxidative degradation and extend shelf life.	In the 40°C accelerated test, the retention rate of active ingredients increased from 60% to 92%.

VI. Summary and Industry Trends

Evonik Degussa's food-grade silica anti-caking agents have become the first choice for high-end food processing due to their nanoscale performance, extensive compliance, and process adaptability. Despite facing cost and regulatory challenges, their innovative applications in functional foods (such as plant-based proteins, probiotic carriers) and new energy fields (such as lithium battery separator coatings) are driving continuous growth in market share. In the future, with the increasing global demand for natural and efficient additives, Evonik is expected to further consolidate its leading position in the field of food-grade silica through green production processes and customized solutions.

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