noun
processing aid; processing material
Technical term used in manufacturing, food processing, and chemical engineering for substances that facilitate processing without becoming a functional part of the final product.
この食品添加物は加工助剤として使用される。
This food additive is used as a processing aid.
加工助剤は最終製品にはほとんど残留しない。
Processing aids leave almost no residue in the final product.
添加物 is a general additive that remains in the product, while 加工助剤 is used during processing and is typically removed or rendered inactive.
Compound of 加工 (processing) + 助 (aid) + 剤 (agent). A modern technical coinage.