Application background of CS90 in food packaging materials
Term amine catalyst CS90 is a highly efficient catalyst widely used in plastics and polymer processing, especially in polyurethane (PU) foams, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and various composite materials. Its chemical name is N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), the molecular formula is C8H17N, and the molecular weight is 127.23 g/mol. As a strongly basic tertiary amine catalyst, CS90 can significantly accelerate the reaction between isocyanate and polyol, thereby improving production efficiency and improving the physical properties of the final product.
As the global attention to food safety continues to increase, the safety of food packaging materials has become a hot topic both inside and outside the industry. Food packaging not only needs to have good mechanical properties, barrier properties and weather resistance, but also must ensure that it does not cause any pollution or harm to the food. Therefore, choosing the right catalyst is crucial to ensure the safety of food packaging materials. The application of tertiary amine catalyst CS90 in food packaging materials has gradually attracted attention due to its efficient catalytic action and relatively low toxicity.
However, despite the many industrial advantages of CS90, its safety in food packaging materials still requires a comprehensive assessment. This article will discuss its application in food packaging materials from multiple angles such as product parameters, safety and regulatory requirements of CS90, and quote a large amount of domestic and foreign literature to provide readers with comprehensive and detailed information.
1. Basic characteristics and application fields of CS90
CS90, as a tertiary amine catalyst, has the following basic characteristics:
- Chemical structure: N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA)
- Molecular formula: C8H17N
- Molecular Weight: 127.23 g/mol
- Appearance: Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid
- Density: 0.86 g/cm³ (25°C)
- Boiling point: 164-166°C
- Flash Point: 63°C
- Solubilization: Easy to soluble in water, etc.
The main application areas of CS90 include but are not limited to:
- Polyurethane Foam: used to make soft and rigid polyurethane foams, widely usedIn the fields of furniture, car seats, insulation materials, etc.
- Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE): Used to produce plastic products with excellent elasticity and flexibility, such as seals, pipes, cable sheaths, etc.
- Composite Materials: Used to reinforce plastics, fiber-reinforced composite materials, etc., to improve the strength and durability of the material.
- Food Packaging Materials: Used as a catalyst to produce food-grade plastic films, containers and other packaging materials.
2. Current status of application of CS90 in food packaging materials
In recent years, with the rapid development of the food packaging industry, more and more companies have begun to pay attention to how to ensure the safety of packaging materials while ensuring product quality. As a highly efficient tertiary amine catalyst, CS90 has gradually become an important additive in the production of food packaging materials because it can quickly catalyze reactions at lower temperatures, reduce production time and reduce energy consumption.
According to data from market research institutions, the global food packaging market size is expected to maintain steady growth in the next few years, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, where food packaging demand is particularly strong due to population growth and increased consumption levels. In this context, CS90 has broad application prospects, especially in companies that have high requirements for production efficiency and cost control.
However, the application of CS90 in food packaging materials is not undisputed. Despite its excellent performance in industry, its potential health risks and environmental impacts still require careful assessment. Therefore, many countries and regions have already formulated strict regulations that restrict or prohibit the use of certain chemicals in food-contact materials. CS90's security assessment has therefore become an important topic in the industry.
3. CS90 safety assessment
To ensure the safety of CS90 in food packaging materials, a comprehensive assessment of its toxicology, migration and environmental impact must be carried out. The following are detailed discussions on several key aspects:
3.1 Toxicology Assessment
The toxicological properties of CS90 are an important basis for evaluating its safety. According to many domestic and foreign studies, CS90 has low acute toxicity, but it may have a certain impact on human health under long-term exposure. Here are several major research results:
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Accurate toxicity: According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) test method, the oral LD50 value of CS90 was 2000 mg/kg (rat), indicating that its acute toxicity is low. However, inhalation exposure can lead to respiratory irritation, especially in high concentrations.
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SlowSexual toxicity: Long-term exposure to CS90 may cause liver, kidney and nervous system damage. An animal experiment conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that rats exposed to CS90 for 13 consecutive weeks experienced hepatocyte hyperplasia and renal abnormalities. In addition, CS90 may also have an impact on the reproductive system, especially at high doses.
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Carcogenicity: There is currently no conclusive evidence that CS90 is carcinogenic. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed it as a substance that is “potentially carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B), suggesting further research on its risk of long-term exposure.
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Mutorogenicity: The results of CS90 mutagenicity studies are diverse. Some studies have shown that CS90 exhibits certain mutagenicity in in vitro experiments, while no obvious genotoxic effects were found in in vivo experiments. Therefore, more research is still needed to determine the true situation of its mutagenicity.
3.2 Mobility Assessment
The migration of CS90 in food packaging materials is one of the important indicators for evaluating its safety. Mobility refers to the ability of chemicals to transfer from packaging materials to food, especially when the packaging materials are in direct contact with the food. According to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), chemical migration in food contact materials shall not exceed certain limit standards.
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Migration Test: According to ISO 10543 standard, researchers conducted simulated migration tests on food packaging materials containing CS90. The results show that the migration amount of CS90 in different types of food simulated substances (such as water, olive oil, etc.) varies greatly. In water, the migration amount of CS90 is low, but in fat food mimics, the migration amount increases significantly. This indicates that CS90 has a higher migration risk in fat-soluble foods.
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Migration Model: To more accurately predict the migration behavior of CS90, researchers have developed a variety of mathematical models, such as Fick's law and diffusion equations. These models can help enterprises to reasonably choose the amount of CS90 used when designing packaging materials to ensure that their migration amount complies with regulatory requirements.
3.3 Environmental Impact Assessment
In addition to the potential risks to human health, the environmental impact of CS90 is also worthy of attention. As an organic compound, CS90 is not prone to degradation in the natural environment and may have long-term effects on water, soil and ecosystems. Here are several major environmental impact studies:
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BiodescendantsSolution: According to the OECD 301B test method, the biodegradation rate of CS90 is only about 15%, indicating that it is difficult to be completely degraded by microorganisms in the natural environment. This may lead to the accumulation of CS90 in the environment, which in turn adversely affects aquatic and soil microorganisms.
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Ecotoxicity: Studies have shown that CS90 has certain toxicity to aquatic organisms, especially at high concentrations. An experiment conducted by the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) showed that CS90 had a half lethal concentration of zebrafish (LC50) of 10 mg/L, indicating that it was moderately toxic to aquatic organisms. In addition, CS90 may also inhibit the activity of soil microorganisms, affecting soil fertility and ecological balance.
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Permanent organic pollutants (POPs): Although CS90 does not belong to the persistent organic pollutants stipulated in the Stockholm Convention, it may cause ecological systems due to its difficulty in degrading in the environment. Have long-term impact. Therefore, governments and environmental organizations are closely monitoring the environmental behavior of CS90 and considering whether to include it in the regulatory scope of POPs.
4. Domestic and foreign regulations and requirements
To ensure the safety of food packaging materials, many countries and regions have formulated strict regulations to restrict or prohibit the use of certain chemicals. The following are the relevant regulatory requirements of several major countries and regions:
4.1 EU regulations
The EU is one of the regions around the world that have been legislation on food contact materials. According to EU Regulation No. 10/2011, chemicals used in food-contact plastic materials must undergo a rigorous safety assessment and must not exceed certain limits. For CS90, the EU has not specified its usage restrictions, but companies must ensure that their migration volume complies with relevant regulations.
In addition, the EU regulates the production and use of chemicals through REACH regulations (chemical registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction regulations). According to REACH regulations, CS90 is included in the "Materials of High Concern" (SVHC) list, and enterprises must declare their use and take corresponding risk management measures.
4.2 US Regulations
In the United States, the safety of food contact materials is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to FDA 21 CFR 177.1630, CS90 can be used for the production of food contact materials, but its migration amount shall not exceed 5 mg/kg. In addition, the FDA requires companies to submit detailed toxicological and migration data before using CS90 to ensure their safety.
4.3 Chinese Regulations
In China, the safety of food contact materials is jointly regulated by the National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). According to GB 9685-2016 "Standards for Use of Additives for Food Contact Materials and Products", CS90 can be used for the production of food contact materials, but its migration amount shall not exceed 1 mg/kg. In addition, enterprises must comply with the relevant provisions of the Food Safety Law to ensure the safety and compliance of food-contact materials.
4.4 Japanese Regulations
In Japan, the safety of food contact materials is regulated by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). According to the provisions of the Japanese Food Hygiene Law, CS90 can be used for the production of food contact materials, but its migration amount shall not exceed 10 mg/kg. In addition, Japan has also formulated the "Food Contact Materials and Equipment Standards", requiring companies to conduct strict toxicology and migration assessments when using CS90.
5. Research progress on CS90 alternatives
In view of the potential risks of CS90 in terms of toxicology and environmental impacts, many research institutions and businesses have begun to explore its alternatives. Here are several potential alternatives and their research progress:
5.1 Bio-based catalyst
Bio-based catalysts are a class of catalysts prepared from renewable resources, with the advantages of green environmental protection, low toxicity and degradability. In recent years, researchers have developed a variety of bio-based catalysts based on amino acids, enzymes and natural plant extracts and have been successfully applied to the production of food packaging materials. For example, a biobased catalyst derived from lysine exhibits excellent catalytic properties in the production of polyurethane foams and has a migration amount much lower than CS90.
5.2 Metal Catalyst
Metal catalysts such as zinc, tin and titanium have high catalytic activity and stability and are widely used in the synthesis of polymers. Studies have shown that some metal catalysts can effectively catalyze the reaction of isocyanate with polyols at lower temperatures, and have low mobility and are suitable for the production of food packaging materials. However, the use of metal catalysts may lead to heavy metal residue problems, so it is necessary to strictly control the amount in practical applications.
5.3 Enzyme Catalyst
Enzyme catalysts are a highly specific and selective biocatalysts, which are widely used in food, medicine, chemical and other fields. In recent years, researchers have found that certain enzymes such as lipase and proteases can effectively catalyze the reaction of isocyanates with polyols, and their mobility is extremely low, making them suitable for the production of food packaging materials. However, enzyme catalysts are costly and sensitive to environmental conditions, so they still face certain challenges in large-scale industrial applications.
6. Conclusion and Outlook
To sum up, the application of tertiary amine catalyst CS90 in food packaging materials has certain advantages, but there is also potential healthHealth and environmental risks. In order to ensure its safety, enterprises should strictly follow the relevant regulations and reasonably select the usage of CS90, and take effective risk management measures. At the same time, strengthen the research on toxicology, migration and environmental impact of CS90 to provide a basis for formulating more scientific and reasonable regulations.
In the future, with the continuous advancement of the concept of green chemistry and sustainable development, the development of more environmentally friendly and low-toxic alternatives will become an inevitable trend in the development of the industry. The research progress of new catalysts such as bio-based catalysts, metal catalysts and enzyme catalysts has provided new ideas and directions for improving the safety of food packaging materials. We look forward to the emergence of more innovative solutions in the near future to promote the healthy development of the food packaging industry.
References:
- OECD (2018). "Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals: Acute Oral Toxicity – Up-and-Down Procedure." OECD Publishing.
- EPA (2019). "Toxicological Review of N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- EFSA (2020). "Scientific Opinion on the Safety of N,N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine in Food Contact Materials." European Food Safety Authority.
- ISO 10543 (2017). "Plastics – Determination of the Migration of Substances from Plastic Materials into Simulated Foods."
- GB 9685-2016. "Food Contact Materials and Articles - Use of Additives."
- FDA (2021). "21 CFR 177.1630 – Polyurethane resins."
- MHLW (2020). "Standards for Food, Additives, etc. (Part II): Standards for Containers and Packaging."
This paper aims to provide valuable reference for relevant companies and researchers by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the application of tertiary amine catalyst CS90 in food packaging materials, combined with new research results and regulatory requirements at home and abroad. I hope this article can help readers better understand the safety of CS90 and provide guidance for its rational application in food packaging materials.
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