Dow Unveils Water-Based Silicone Release Coating
Dow showcased its Syl-Off Em 7978 Coating at Highly-Functional Material Week Tokyo 2026, alongside Oji Group's PFAS-free greaseproof paper.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Consumer Goods
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Dow presented its Syl-Off Em 7978 Coating, a platinum-catalyzed, water-based silicone release solution for food and bakery packaging, at Highly-Functional Material Week Tokyo 2026. Oji Group showcased Silbio Series paper-based barrier materials and O-hajiki, a PFAS-free greaseproof paper, at the same event.
Why it matters
Businesses are seeking easy-to-use packaging solutions that eliminate the need to clean food-contact surfaces after heating or baking. Sustainability priorities are also driving demand for recyclable liners and renewable materials across the sector.
The disclosures are product showcase claims from a trade event in 2026, with no quantitative sales, revenue, or production figures provided. Neither company has released measurable operational metrics tied to these products in the source material.
The players
Dow
Dow is a major multinational chemical company headquartered in Midland, Michigan, known for its silicone and specialty materials portfolio.
Oji Group
Oji Group is a large Japanese paper and forest products conglomerate that has been developing sustainable packaging materials.
The details
Dow's Syl-Off Em 7978 Coating is designed for in-line application during paper manufacturing and offers water repellency; it is meant to be blended with Dow's Syl-Off Em Catalyst Emulsion. Oji's O-hajiki achieves grease resistance comparable to fluorine-based products using its own coating technology and contains no plastic materials.
Timeline
2026: Highly-Functional Material Week Tokyo, where both companies showcased their products in Tokyo, Japan.
Market Landscape
Oji's O-hajiki positions the company as a non-fluorinated alternative to fluorine-based greaseproof coatings, part of a broader industry shift away from PFAS in food packaging. Dow's water-based silicone release system competes in a sector where paper converters are seeking coatings that remove the need for post-bake cleaning of food-contact surfaces.
Consumers may eventually see food packaging that avoids PFAS chemicals and reduces the need to clean baking trays and food containers. Availability timelines and retail pricing for these products were not disclosed in the source.
The takeaway
Packaging suppliers are converging on non-fluorine, recyclable, and easier-to-clean materials for food contact. Buyers evaluating these products should request independent performance data and commercial availability details directly from suppliers.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Consumer Goods for the latest on packaging and product supply chains.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Packaginginsights.
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