Plastics Institute Investigates PFAS-Free Coatings

The planned PFAS regulations and their impact on plastics, additives, and coatings have not yet been fully clarified. It remains to be seen which materials and applications will be affected in the future and what exceptions may be possible. To help companies prepare for potential changes early on, the Lüdenscheid Plastics Institute (KIMW) will launch the two-year collaborative project “PFAS-Free Alternatives 2 – Surface Treatment Without PFAS” in February 2027. Fourteen companies from the medical technology, automotive, mechanical engineering, food, and aerospace industries already participated in the first phase of the project. The questions that arose from that phase will now be examined in the follow-up project.

PFAS-Free Coatings Put to the Test

The project’s goal is the systematic identification, evaluation, and comparison of PFAS-free material and coating alternatives for tribological and anti-adhesive applications. Standardized tests conducted under identical conditions are intended to provide reliable comparative data. In addition to a basic package covering current developments in PFAS regulations as well as market and technology overviews, two optional practical modules are offered. The first examines the tribological properties of PFAS-free plastic materials using tribometer tests. In the second module, PFAS-free coatings are compared with PTFE/PFA reference systems in terms of contact angle, surface roughness, and release and peel forces. The tests are conducted before and after defined aging. In addition, companies can commission customized tests and supplementary services.