The use of antifoaming agents can significantly reduce downtime, energy consumption, and maintenance costs. They improve product yield and quality, enhancing overall process efficiency. In some cases, they even contribute to environmental sustainability by minimizing waste generation.

One challenge is overdosing, which can lead to side effects like emulsion breaking. Proper dosing control and monitoring are essential. Additionally, finding defoamers that are both effective and environmentally friendly continues to be a focus of research and development.