Applied Material Solutions

Choosing the right foam control agent is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and product quality. Are you asking the right questions? Here are three essential considerations for buyers: Is the defoamer compatible with my product or process? - Could it create deposits that impact product quality? - Will it affect catalysts, clog membranes and filters, or leave residue behind? - Will the defoamer cause adverse downstream effects? Is the chemistry of my current defoamer the most effective for my application? - Does it address the unique foam challenges of my application? - Have other types of chemistry been considered? - Is the defoamer being over-applied, and are there more effective options? Using the wrong defoamer can lead to equipment damage, production shutdowns, and costly repairs. Addressing these questions can prevent disruptions and improve results. In Part 2, we’ll discuss the critical questions suppliers need to ask to guide you to the best solution. #FoamControl #Defoamers

Kosher-Certified Antifoams for Passover and Beyond Foam can be a major challenge in food production, affecting product quality, efficiency, and consistency. That’s why food-grade antifoams and defoamers are essential—but when it comes to kosher and Passover-certified products, there’s even more to consider. Kosher guidelines extend beyond food ingredients to include processing materials, equipment, and handling. While most food-grade defoamers are considered pareve, Passover certification requires additional scrutiny to ensure no leavened grains or their derivatives are present. At AMS, we manufacture Passover-certified antifoams under strict rabbinical supervision to meet these high standards. Our offerings include: - TRANS-10PK – A water-based 10% silicone antifoam - TRANS-100PK – A non-aqueous 100% active silicone antifoam compound With silicone, non-silicone, and powdered options, our kosher-certified defoamers support a range of applications, from fermentation and grain processing to fruit and vegetable washing. If you need foam control solutions that align with kosher and Passover standards, we can help. #FoodProduction #KosherCertified #FoamControl

Celebrating Leadership at AMS on National Leadership Day! Today, we want to recognize and thank the incredible leadership team at AMS. Your dedication, vision, and unwavering support drive our success and inspire us to excel every day. The guidance and values you bring to the table foster innovation, collaboration, and growth—not just for our business but for every member of the AMS team. From navigating challenges to celebrating victories, you lead with integrity and purpose, setting a standard we’re proud to follow. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the leaders who make AMS a place where excellence thrives. Thank you for everything you do! #NationalLeadershipDay #ThankYou #Leadership #TeamAMS

Industry Spotlight: Tackling Foam Challenges in Water Treatment Foam can be a costly and hazardous issue across various water treatment processes. Whether it’s in aeration basins, cooling towers, or landfill leachate systems, excessive foam can disrupt operations, damage equipment, and create unsafe conditions. Industries like food processing, refineries, and paper manufacturing rely on effective foam control to maintain efficiency and safety. At AMS, we offer a diverse range of antifoams and defoamers designed to manage foam in critical water treatment systems. Our solutions are tailored to handle everything from biological foam to surfactant contamination, ensuring smooth operations in complex environments. Key Applications for AMS Defoamers: Aeration Basins & Clarifiers: Prevent foam buildup in wastewater treatment. Cooling Towers: Mitigate foam caused by solids in heat management systems. Manure Pits & Leachate: Control foam and mitigate risk in these sometimes challenging applications. MBRs & SBRs: Ensure effective foam control while protecting filtration systems. With over 45 years of expertise, AMS is your partner in foam control, providing effective solutions for a range of water treatment applications. Contact us today to learn how our antifoams and defoamers can optimize your water treatment processes.

Applications of Colloidal Silica in 2025: Emerging Trends to Watch As industries evolve, so do the applications of colloidal silica. This versatile material continues to play a critical role in enhancing performance, durability, and efficiency across sectors. Here's a look at how its use is expected to grow in 2025: Advanced Electronics: With the rise of more compact and powerful devices, colloidal silica is becoming essential in semiconductor manufacturing. It supports precision polishing and ensures the reliability of advanced circuits. Sustainable Construction: Cement production and use represents about 8% of the total CO2 emissions worldwide. New construction projects are turning to colloidal silica to create stronger concrete. This in turn allows the use of less concrete to lower the Global Warming Potential and to help approach carbon net-zero emissions. High-Tech Polishing: As demand for ultra-smooth surfaces increases in fields like optics and aerospace, colloidal silica is set to take center stage in precision polishing techniques, such as chemical mechanical planarization (CMP). Next-Generation Paper Production: Paper manufacturing is embracing colloidal silica for improved fiber retention, drainage, and overall quality, ensuring a more efficient and sustainable production process. Enhanced Coatings: From anti-reflective surfaces to abrasion-resistant layers, colloidal silica is helping create next-generation coatings that meet the demands of high-performance industries. Colloidal silica’s adaptability makes it a cornerstone of innovation across numerous applications. At AMS, we’re excited to support these advancements and help our partners push boundaries in their respective fields. What trends are you seeing for colloidal silica in your industry? Let’s discuss!

The Science Behind Colloidal Silica – Stability, Reactivity, and Versatility In Part 1, we explored colloidal silica's applications. Now, let's look behind the scenes at what makes it so versatile. Colloidal silica production begins with silicic acid, which, when added to a basic solution, grows into stable SiO? particles. This process results in colloidal silica that’s stable across a wide pH range, allowing it to perform in diverse environments. At high pH, it offers electrostatic stability through its negatively charged surface, while at low pH, it provides steric stability. Its reactivity also sets it apart—colloidal silica can form Si-O-Si bonds or even Si-O-Al linkages in the presence of aluminum, creating durable, interconnected networks. Additionally, it can be tuned to interact with other molecules depending on pH. For example: - Hydrogen bonding at low pH makes it ideal for stabilizing nonionic molecules - Ionic interactions at high pH enable strong binding with cationic compounds These properties make colloidal silica perfect for catalysis, investment casting, and beyond—bringing stability and performance to formulations in industries from coatings to electronics. #ColloidalSilica #MaterialScience #AMS #IndustrialInnovation

Exploring Colloidal Silica – A Key Ingredient in Modern Industries Colloidal silica might seem like a straightforward raw material, but its versatility makes it indispensable across multiple industries. This unique molecule, made up of stabilized SiO? nano-particles, is more than meets the eye—thanks to its small size, surface area characteristics, and net charge. From serving as a binder in catalysts and investment castings to enhancing wafer polishing processes and acting as a clarification aid in beverages, colloidal silica’s potential is well-established. Colloidal silica is also expanding its role in construction products. When added to concrete, it has been shown to create additional chemical bonds within the concrete matrix that allows for: - Higher compressive strength - Denser and more durable surfaces - Quieter and easier finishing efforts - Reduction in the overall amount of concrete Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive deeper into how colloidal silica is produced and its unique stability across pH levels, which makes it an ideal choice for various high-performance applications. #ColloidalSilica #Innovation #MaterialScience #AMS

As we step into 2025, we're interested in what you're focusing on for the year ahead. Whether it's advancing technology, optimizing processes, or prioritizing sustainability, we’d love to hear from you.

As we welcome 2025, we reflect upon the milestones we've achieved and the relationships we've built throughout the past year. The AMS team is grateful for the continued trust and collaboration between our valued customers, partners, suppliers, and employees. We’re excited about the opportunities the new year holds and wish everyone a prosperous 2025!

Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season filled with peace, happiness, and time to recharge. We look forward to another year of continued growth and success, together. Happy Holidays from the entire AMS team!