Food-grade 98.0% Erucamide CAS 112-84-5

What is erucamide? How does it work? What are its applications in food-grade erucamide?

1. What is Erucamide? How does it work?

Erucamide, also known as mustard amide, is an amide derivative of the 22-carbon monounsaturated fatty acid (erucic acid), with the molecular formula C22H43NO and CAS number 112-84-5. It is a white, flaky or waxy solid, almost insoluble in water, with a melting point of 79-81℃. It is refined from erucic acid derived from vegetable oils. In the food industry, it is an important additive in food packaging materials: added to polyethylene and polypropylene food packaging films as a slip agent and opening agent, making snack bags easy to tear and open, and ensuring smooth operation of liquid packaging films such as milk and soy milk on automated filling lines. Because it meets the requirements for food contact materials, it is widely used in various types of food packaging.

Basic information : Chinese name: Erucamide; English name: Erucamide (also known as cis-13-docosenoamide, cis-13-docosenoamide, Erucic acid amide); CAS number: 112-84-5; EINECS number: 204-009-2; Molecular formula: C22H43NO; Molecular weight: approximately 337.58; Appearance: white flaky crystals or waxy solid; Almost insoluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol and acetone, soluble in most organic solvents; Melting point: 79-81℃; Flash point: approximately 230℃; Density: approximately 0.94 g/cm³; Low volatility, good thermal stability; Food-grade specifications are mainly for meeting the requirements of food contact materials.

Structurally , erucamide consists of a long chain containing 22 carbons and a terminal amide group: the main chain is a cis-configured 13-docosahexaene chain (CH3(CH2)7-CH=CH-(CH2)11-), containing a cis double bond and an amide group (-CONH2) at the end. The long-chain alkyl group is hydrophobic, and the amide group is polar, forming a typical amphiphilic structure. It is derived from the ammoniation of erucic acid from vegetable oils. It is not a high molecular weight polymer, but a migratable low molecular weight organic additive, which is the structural basis for its ability to migrate to the film surface and provide a slip-adhesive effect.

physical properties , Erucamide is a white flaky crystal or waxy solid with a mild odor; melting point 79-81℃; almost insoluble in water, slightly soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and acetone; density approximately 0.94 g/cm³; flash point approximately 230℃; low volatility; good thermal stability, able to withstand the processing temperature of films such as polypropylene; store in a cool, dry place.

Chemically , Erucamide is a fatty acid amide: the polarity of the amide group allows it to orient itself at the material interface, and the long-chain alkyl group gives it good compatibility with polyolefins; the large molecular weight (337.58) makes it migrate to the surface of the polymer at a moderate speed and has low volatility; the cis double bond and amide group in the chain make its thermal stability better than that of short-chain counterparts, and it can continue to slowly migrate to the surface after molding to form a lubricating layer.

Why does erucamide act as a slip agent, opening agent, and anti-sticking agent in food packaging films? Its mechanism of action mainly includes the following:

Surface migration film formation mechanism : Erucamide molecules are compatible with polyolefins and continuously migrate to the surface of the film, forming a molecular-level lubricating layer on the surface—the basis of the slip-resistant effect.

Lubrication and friction reduction mechanism : The surface molecular layer reduces the dynamic and static friction coefficients between polymers and between polymers and processing equipment—the basis for the high-speed operation of the packaging line.

Interfacial anti-adhesion mechanism : The surface-oriented amide molecular layer prevents the adhesion and bonding of adjacent film layers, making the film easy to open and tear - the basis of the opening agent function.

Amphiphilic structure mechanism : Long-chain alkyl groups are hydrophobic and oleophilic, and amide groups are polar, which enables the molecules to be both compatible with resins and oriented at the interface—the structural basis of multifunctional additives.

Long-lasting migration mechanism : large molecular weight, low volatility, high temperature resistance, and moderate and long-lasting migration speed—the basis for long-lasting smoothness after molding and immediate printing processing.

II. All Uses of Food-Grade Erucamide

1. Food packaging film industry

Food packaging film slip

As a slip agent for polyethylene and polypropylene food packaging films, a small amount can reduce the coefficient of friction of the film surface to the level required by the packaging line, thereby improving the speed of bag making and packaging.

Corresponding products: LDPE food packaging film, LLDPE packaging film, PP food packaging film, etc.

Opening and anti-blocking agent

It is used as an opening agent and anti-blocking agent for food packaging films to prevent the film roll from sticking to the bag, making the packaging bag easy to open and tear.

Corresponding products: bag making film, automatic packaging film, food vest bag film, etc.

2. Liquid food packaging sector

Automatic filling and packaging film additives

This is a special additive for packaging films used in automatic filling machines for milk, soy milk, soy sauce, and beverages. It reduces the dynamic friction coefficient of the film surface to below approximately 0.35, ensuring high-speed operation of the filling line and easy opening of the packaging.

Corresponding products: milk packaging film, soy milk bag film, soy sauce packaging film, beverage packaging film, etc.

3. Composite and high-slip packaging film field

Slip agent for composite membranes and BOPP membranes

As a slip agent for transparent PP composite film, pearl film and BOPP food packaging film, it controls the coefficient of friction to below 0.4, meeting the requirements of high-speed packaging machines for low friction and gloss.

Corresponding products: transparent composite film, pearlescent film, BOPP food packaging film, snack food packaging film, etc.

4. Processing of food contact plastic products

Processing lubricants and release agents

It is used as a lubricant and release agent in the molding and processing of food contact plastic products, which speeds up extrusion and injection molding, and makes the product surface smooth and easy to demold.

Corresponding products: food packaging containers, bottle cap liners, PP food utensils, etc.

5. Comprehensive membrane material performance field

Antistatic and thermal stabilizing agents

As an additive for heat-resistant food packaging films such as polypropylene, it imparts antistatic properties to the film; its low volatility and high temperature resistance are suitable for PP processing, and its moderate migration facilitates immediate printing after the film is produced.

Corresponding products: PP food packaging film, printed food packaging film, heat-resistant food packaging materials, etc.

III . Summary

Erucamide (CAS 112-84-5) is a fatty acid amide derived from erucic acid, composed of a 22-carbon long chain containing cis-double bonds and polar amide groups. The long chain is compatible with polyolefins, and the amide groups are oriented at the interface, allowing molecules to continuously migrate to the film surface and form a lubricating layer—resulting in low friction, anti-sticking, and easy opening. In the food industry, it serves as a slip agent and opening agent for food packaging films: the ability to tear open snack bags, the smooth operation of milk packaging on automated filling lines, and the glossy smoothness of composite film packaging all rely on its contribution. Added in trace amounts of 0.05%-0.3%, meeting the requirements for food contact materials, erucamide silently supports food packaging every day—a key multi-functional additive in modern food packaging films.