A comprehensive guide to anti fogging additive
Application of anti fogging additives
Agricultural film(mono layer films，Multi layer co-extruded films)
Food wrap film(Polyethylene, Polypropylene film)
Types of anti fogging additives
GMO, span, tween, and peg series are common used as anti fogging additives for plastics, these four classes of non-ionic surfactants differ fundamentally in chemical backbone, Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB), migration kinetics, and whether they function as primary anti-fog reservoirs or rapid water-spreading boosters. Anti fogging Additive are categorized into hot-fog and cold-fog conditions based on the temperature gradient and environment they encounter.
table 1 anti fogging additive compare table
| Class | Chemical Backbone | HLB Range | Migration Speed | Primary Anti-Fog Role | Best Application |
| GMO | Glycerol Monooleate ($C_{18:1}$) | Low (~3.8) | Fast | Rapid initial & cold anti-fog base | Fresh produce packaging (0–10°C) |
| Span Series | Sorbitan Fatty Acid Esters | Low–Med (4.3–8.6) | Slow to Moderate | Long-term & hot anti-fog reservoir | Hot food wraps, greenhouse films |
| Tween Series | Ethoxylated Sorbitan Esters | High (11.0–16.7) | Moderate to Fast | Hydrophilic water-spreading booster | Anti-fog co-additive / wetting agent |
| PEG Series | Polyethylene Glycol Esters | Med–High (9.0–14.0) | Fast to Moderate | Quick cold-fog response & surface wetting | PVC films, clear polyolefin packaging |
GMO (Glycerol Monooleate) anti fog agent
Mechanism: Low HLB (~3.8) allows high solubility in non-polar polyolefin matrices (PE/PP). Its C_{18:1} unsaturated double bond gives it high chain flexibility and rapid migration to the film surface.
Key Advantages: Standard workhorse for instant and cold anti-fog. Rapidly lowers water contact angle upon refrigeration.
Limitations: Prone to wash-off under heavy condensation; moderate thermal resistance during high-temperature extrusion.
Span Sorbitan Esters series anti fog agent
Grade contains span 20, 40, 60 and 80
Mechanism: Anhydrosorbitol ring head with fatty acid tails. Saturated types (Span 60 – Stearate) migrate slowly, while unsaturated types (Span 80 – Oleate) migrate moderately fast.
Key Advantages: Superior thermal stability and long-lasting durability. Resists rapid extraction by hot steam, making it the primary choice for hot anti-fog (hot meal tray lids) and long-duration agricultural/greenhouse films.
Limitations: Slower initial water-spreading performance when used alone compared to ethoxylated additives.
Tween Ethoxylated Spans series anti fog agent
Grade:tween 20,60, 80
Mechanism: Produced by ethoxylating the Span structure with polyoxyethylene (EO) chains, drastically increasing the HLB value (11–17).
Key Advantages: Acts as a hydrophilic booster. The long EO chains interact intensely with condensed water, forcing water droplets to immediately flatten out into a continuous, transparent sheet rather than remaining as light-scattering beads.
Limitations: High water solubility means it can be washed away easily if used as the sole anti-fog agent; best used as a co-additive.
PEG Esters Series anti fog agent
Grades:PEG Monolaurate, PEG Dioleate
Mechanism: Esterification of polyethylene glycol with fatty acids. The HLB and migration rate are easily tuned by varying the PEG chain molecular weight and fatty acid length.
Key Advantages: Excellent compatibility in polar matrices like PVC and good performance in polyolefins. Provides very fast cold anti-fog response and strong surface-tension reduction.
Limitations: Over-dosage can lead to surface tackiness or plate-out on processing equipment.
Selection of anti fog agent in masterbatches
Commercial anti-fog masterbatches rarely rely on a single class; they combine low-HLB and high-HLB additives to balance fast action with long-term durability:
Cold Produce Packaging (PE/PP): GMO (Low HLB) + Tween or PEG Ester (High HLB), GMO provides rapid migration from the matrix, while Tween/PEG provides immediate water-spreading.
Hot Food Containers & Agricultural Films: Span 60/80 (Low/Med HLB) + Tween 80 or High-HLB PEG (High HLB) , Span acts as a heat-resistant, slow-release reservoir, while Tween/PEG ensures instant droplet flattening under steam.
Baoxu anti fogging additive
table 2 baoxu anti fogging additive table
| Chemical Name | CAS Number | Croda Grade | Main Application |
| Glyceryl Monooleate (GMO) | 25496-72-4 | Atmer 1010 | Fast-migrating cold anti-fog agent for PE/PP films; lubricant |
| PEG Monooleate (PEG-5/8) | 9004-96-0 | / | Low-MW humectant, antistatic agent, wetting intermediate |
| PEG Monostearate (PEG-20/40) | 9004-99-3 | / | Hydrophilic plasticizer, surface lubricant & anti-fog booster |
| Span 20 (Sorbitan Monolaurate) | 1338-39-2 | Atmer 103 | Fast-migrating anti-fog, low-HLB emulsifier, rust inhibitor |
| Span 40 (Sorbitan Monopalmitate) | 26266-57-9 | / | Intermediate hot/cold anti-fog agent, plastics processing aid |
| Span 60 (Sorbitan Monostearate) | 1338-41-6 | Atmer 105 | High-temp long-term hot anti-fog for agricultural & hot-pack films |
| Span 80 (Sorbitan Monooleate) | 1338-43-8 | Atmer 106 | Anti-fog co-additive, pigment dispersant, W/O emulsifier |
| Tween 20 (Polysorbate 20) | 9005-64-5 | Tween 20 | High-HLB hydrophilic wetting agent, fast water-spreading booster |
| Tween 60 (Polysorbate 60) | 9005-67-8 | Tween 60 | High-HLB anti-fog wetting agent under steam/condensation |
| Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80) | 9005-65-6 | Atmer 116 | High-HLB anti-fog booster, O/W emulsifier, polyolefin dispersant |
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