In recent years, more silicone products have been rejected or returned because their VOC levels exceeded regulatory limits. To avoid compliance issues, manufacturers need to control every step of the process—from raw material selection and production to final testing.
The main source of VOC residues in silicone products is low-molecular-weight siloxanes present in the raw materials.
For products exported to France, it's essential to choose food-grade silicone materials that comply with EU Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 as well as relevant French regulations.
If color masterbatches, pigments, or other additives are used during compounding, they should also meet food-contact standards to avoid introducing additional volatile impurities into the final product.
Processing conditions play a critical role in controlling VOC content.
Incomplete curing can leave behind residual crosslinkers and other low-molecular-weight compounds. That's why curing temperature and curing time must be carefully controlled throughout the molding process. Cutting curing time to increase production speed can significantly increase the risk of VOC non-compliance.
An equally important step is post-curing (secondary baking).
After molding, silicone products should be placed in a dedicated food-grade oven and heated at high temperature. This process helps remove unreacted oligomers, residual low-molecular-weight siloxanes, and curing by-products.
During post-curing, the oven should be kept clean, ventilation must remain unobstructed, and products should be evenly spaced instead of stacked together to ensure uniform heating and effective removal of volatile substances.
Before shipment, every production batch should be tested to confirm that VOC levels meet regulatory requirements.
Common analytical methods include Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), which are used to measure weight loss below 250°C or quantify specific volatile compounds.
A combination of in-house quality control and third-party laboratory verification is highly recommended. This dual verification approach helps ensure that every batch maintains VOC levels below 0.5 wt% while remaining free from abnormal odors during sensory evaluation.
For food-contact silicone products, switching from traditional peroxide curing to a platinum-cured addition system is one of the most effective ways to reduce VOC residues and improve overall product safety.
To support high-end silicone applications, IOTA Silicone Oil has developed the IOTA 81 Series High-Purity Platinum Catalysts. Manufactured from highly purified platinum sources, these catalysts are produced under strict quality control to minimize heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, as well as other low-molecular-weight impurities.
With excellent catalytic efficiency and outstanding batch-to-batch consistency, the IOTA 81 Series helps reduce curing by-products and volatile residues at the source, making it easier for silicone products to comply with the strict requirements of both French DGCCRF regulations and EU food-contact legislation.
If you'd like to learn more about the IOTA 81 Series High-Purity Platinum Catalysts, request samples, or receive technical support for optimizing silicone formulations for the French market, feel free to contact IOTA Silicone Oil.
Website: www.siliconeoil.net
Email: zyf@siliconeoil.cn
Our technical team is ready to provide product data sheets (TDS), application guidance, and sample support tailored to your project.
