LY-WA403 Food Grade PAE Wet Strength Agent

Food-Grade Polyamide-Polyamine Epichlorohydrine (PAE) Wet Strength Resin LY-WA403

LY-WA403 is a premium food-grade, water-soluble, cationic thermosetting resin formulated from high-purity Polyamide-Polyamine Epichlorohydrine (PAE/PPE resin). As an advanced wet strength additive engineered specifically for strict regulatory environments, it features a highly controlled polymer structure with ultra-low organic chlorine residues.

Designed for systems that demand absolute non-toxicity and health safety, LY-WA403 offers exceptional self-fixation across acidic, neutral, and medium-alkaline papermaking conditions. It delivers robust wet structural reinforcement even in wet-end environments with high salt concentrations or rich anionic impurities, providing food-contact paper manufacturers with an internationally compliant, high-barrier process solution.

Technical Specifications & Parameters

Property / Indicator	Technical Standard
Appearance	Light yellow to light amber translucent liquid
Solid Content	12.5% ± 0.5% / 15.0% ± 0.5% / 18.0% ± 0.5%
Viscosity (25°C)	≤ 70 mPa·s
pH Value	2.0 – 7.0
Ionic Charge Type	Cationic
Solubility	Dissolves easily in cold water
1,3-Dichloropropan-2-ol (1,3-DCP)	≤ 75 mg/kg
3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD)	≤ 75 mg/kg

Core Technical Advantages & Value Proposition

1. Ultra-Low Organic Chlorine Residues for Strict Food Safety

Standard industrial-grade PAE resins usually contain elevated levels of by-products like 1,3-DCP and 3-MCPD, which restrict their use in direct food contact. LY-WA403 undergoes a specialized cross-linking and refining process that limits both 1,3-DCP and 3-MCPD levels to ≤ 75 mg/kg. This clean chemical profile matches international food-contact safety standards, making it excellent for export-oriented paper mills.

2. High Wet Strength Ratio Retention up to 40%

Untreated food packaging materials absorb moisture rapidly, losing almost all integrity and retaining only 2% to 10% of their dry strength. Introducing LY-WA403 builds a thermosetting chemical matrix between fibers, raising the paper’s wet tensile strength to 20% to 40% of its initial dry strength. This ensures that food containers preserve their structural form when holding liquids or hot steam.

3. Preserved Softness and Excellent Heat Resistance

LY-WA403 imparts exceptional wet strength without changing the original softness, fiber texture, or high absorption performance of the paper sheet. The product uses low dosing quantities, provides great heat resistance during hot-filling or baking applications, and protects high-brightness papers from yellowing over time.

4. Eco-Friendly Repulping and Multi-Action Wet-End Benefits

While it offers reliable water resistance during final product use, broke or scrap food paper treated with LY-WA403 remains highly responsive to typical industrial repulping loops. This simplifies mill recovery, lowers fiber waste, and cuts down hydrating energy costs. Its strong cationic charge also enhances fiber retention and drainage speeds near the wire.

Application & Dosage Guidelines

To ensure stable chemical retention and uniform distribution without mechanical polymer breakdown, implement the following steps:

• Dilution: The liquid concentrate should be pre-diluted with cold water down to a 5% concentration before entering the system.
• Addition Point: For complete, uniform mixing with the pulp stock while avoiding excessive mechanical shear forces, the injection point should be positioned near the headbox.
• Chemical Compatibility: As a highly reactive cationic polymer, it must not be directly pre-blended or mixed with anionic chemicals to avoid precipitate formation. It works perfectly when used sequentially alongside rosin sizing agents and alum.

Main Product Applications

LY-WA403 is engineered specifically for direct and indirect food-contact packaging applications, showing excellent performance in:

• Direct Food-Contact Paper: Paper cups, paper straws, food packaging wraps, fast-food catering bags, and fruit-bagging papers.
• High-Barrier Packaging: Liquid packaging board (LPB), milk cartons, and premium sanitary paper requiring strict compliance combined with liquid resistance.

Packaging, Storage & Handling

• Logistics Packaging: Shipped in secure 200 kg plastic drums or 1,000 kg IBC tote containers designed for automated dosing setups.
• Storage Environment: Store within a clean, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse at ambient temperatures between 5°C and 30°C. Protect fully from freezing temperatures and direct sunlight exposure.
• Shelf Life: 3 months from the date of manufacture when maintained in its original, unopened, and sealed packaging.