New research unveils PPG Flo-Gard’s high carrying capacity in feed applications

USA –  USA-based chemical company PPG has unveiled research data highlighting the exceptional carrying capacity of its PPG Flo-Gard™ precipitated silica and its implications in animal feed production. 

The study reveals that PPG Flo-Gard silicas offer more than 40 times the carrying capacity of maltodextrin, a common bulking agent.

Maltodextrin is extracted from starchy food, including corn, potato, wheat, tapioca, or rice through hydrolysis of starch, and is generally regarded as safe as well. 

PPG Flo-Gard silica is engineered for use in food and feed applications, where it enhances the addition of flavors and nutrients, optimizes product performance, and boosts manufacturing efficiency. 

These silicas are both odorless and tasteless, ensuring they do not alter food products’ flavor or caloric content. 

As a versatile carrying agent, PPG Flo-Gard absorbs liquids, oils, and fats, transforming them into a dry, free-flowing powder suitable for animal feed premixes and various powdered and granulated food products.

“Precipitated silicas have long been recognized for their role as free-flow and anti-caking agents. However, this new research underscores their efficacy as carrying agents due to their high surface area and porous structure,” stated Matt Faber, PPG Research Manager, Specialty Coatings and Materials. 

“The findings demonstrate how precipitated silicas can significantly enhance production efficiency by accommodating higher additive concentrations and offering greater flexibility in storage and transportation.”

The study involved comparing precipitated silica and maltodextrin-carrying capacities using sunflower oil. Each agent incorporated the oil to convert the liquid into a dry, free-flowing powder. 

The results were striking: maltodextrin exhibited a carrying capacity of 3.75 percent by weight, while the four grades of PPG Flo-Gard precipitated silicas demonstrated carrying capacities exceeding 66 percent. 

This substantial increase in carrying capacity leads to shorter mixing times and higher throughput, reducing caking in hoppers and machinery.

Adam Riley, PPG Global Technical Manager, Specialty Coatings and Materials, emphasized the broader benefits of PPG’s precipitated silicas, stating, “PPG’s precipitated silicas provide food service companies and manufacturers with advantages beyond product performance. They contribute to important sustainability goals by enabling smaller packaging and reducing shipping costs, thereby lowering the overall emissions associated with food production.”

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