Highly efficient defoamer for the leather industry
GREIBOPON AF01
GREIBOPON AF01 is a highly efficient non-ionic silicone-based defoaming agent, supplied as a white pourable emulsion, developed for use across all stages of leather production including wet-end operations, dyeing, retanning, and finishing floats. Its advanced silicone emulsion formulation delivers high defoaming power across a broad temperature range, from low to high process temperatures, making it one of the most versatile and reliable antifoam solutions available for the leather industry.
GREIBOPON AF01 is freely soluble in cold water at any ratio and is stable to hard water, acids, and alkaline conditions at normal process concentrations, ensuring consistent performance under the diverse chemical conditions encountered across all leather production stages. Its very good emulsion stability guarantees reliable and homogeneous distribution in the process float without risk of creaming or phase separation.
A key operational advantage of GREIBOPON AF01 is its compatibility with the full range of process chemicals used in leather production: it does not affect the performance of scouring, wetting, or bleaching agents and can be used together with non-ionic, cationic, and anionic products without risk of incompatibility. It is also suitable for use in coating compounds.
For optimal foam control, GREIBOPON AF01 should be added before foam formation occurs, as preventive addition at very low dosing levels is significantly more efficient than reactive addition after foam has already developed. When addition to a hot liquor is required during the process, the product must be pre-diluted with cold water before addition. A stock solution of 1:3 to 1:10 is commonly used for precise and convenient dosing.
Please note: GREIBOPON AF01 is not frost-resistant and must be stored and transported accordingly.
Key Benefits
Characteristics
| Base | Silicone emulsion |
| Appearance | White pourable emulsion |
| Concentration | – |
| Chemical treatement | – |
| pH Value | ca. 6,5 – 7,5 (100g/l, 20°C) |
| Charge | Non-lonic |
Properties
| Density (20°C) | 1,0 g/cm3 |
| Viscosity | ca. 120 mPa.s at 20°c |
| Stability | stable to hard water, acids, alkaline in usual concentrations |
Application Examples
GREIBOPON AF01 is the preferred silicone defoamer for all stages of leather production wherever uncontrolled foam formation threatens to impair process efficiency, surface quality, or chemical performance.
In wet-end operations including soaking, liming, deliming, and pickling, GREIBOPON AF01 controls foam formation in mechanically agitated process floats, ensuring uninterrupted drum operation and reliable chemical distribution throughout the hide without the process losses and quality risks associated with excessive foam.
In dyeing and retanning floats, GREIBOPON AF01 is added preventively at the beginning of the process stage, where very small quantities are sufficient to maintain a foam-free bath throughout the full drum cycle and ensure consistent dye and retanning agent distribution across the full hide surface.
In finishing operations and coating compounds, GREIBOPON AF01 prevents foam defects in applied coatings that would otherwise result in surface pinholes, craters, or uneven coverage, contributing to a flawless, uniform finish surface quality on the finished leather article.
For all hot process applications where GREIBOPON AF01 needs to be added during the running process, it must be pre-diluted with cold water in a ratio of 1:3 to 1:10 before addition to the hot liquor, to ensure homogeneous distribution and prevent any risk of uneven deposition on the leather surface.
Legal Information
GREIBOPON AF01 has a shelf life of approximately one year from the date of delivery when stored in the original sealed drums at temperatures between +3°C and +35°C. The product is not frost-resistant and must be protected from freezing at all times. Drums must be resealed immediately after sampling or use. Protect from direct sunlight and heat sources.
The information contained in this publication is based on our current knowledge and practical experience. It does not relieve the user of the responsibility to conduct their own tests and assessments, particularly with regard to any influences that may arise during the processing and application of our products. No legally binding guarantee of specific properties or suitability for a particular purpose can be inferred from the information provided herein. It is the sole responsibility of the recipient to observe any applicable intellectual property rights as well as all relevant laws and regulations.