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PFAS-free additives

Simply change.

Create PFAS-free solutions thanks to innovative, more sustainable BYK additives

BYK stops supplying PFAS-containing additives by end of 2025

BYK Additives has spent years actively directing significant research efforts, investments, and human resources towards replacing its per- and polyfluoroalkyl additives with more environmentally compatible alternatives. We have now reached a point that allows us to offer our customers pioneering, sustainable PFAS-free solutions for almost all of our products.

Last shipment by end of 2025

Therefore BYK will end its production of additives containing PFAS and will be shipping the last batch of the affected products by the end of 2025. By then, we will also be offering PFAS-free solutions for applications in which, currently, additives containing PFAS are still used.

Even today, the percentage of PFAS-containing additives in BYK's extensive product portfolio is very small. As a leading innovator we are convinced that we can help our customers phase out products containing PFAS by offering our pioneering alternatives at an early date and showing new ways in the formulation of sustainable solutions.

PFAS - why not?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become the subject of discussion as an ultra-stable group of chemical compounds. They are therefore also termed “forever chemicals”. PFAS are almost entirely non-degradable and can accumulate in the environment, in human beings, and in animals. BYK does use fluorinated alkyl compounds to a very small extent as raw materials in the manufacture of selected additives. These are chemically bound in the additives, are non-volatile, and are used only in closed or contained systems.

BYK bottles

PFAS in BYK products?

BYK additives that contain PFAS are – or were – to be found in a variety of product groups such as defoamers, surface additives, wax additives, etc. They are used for many special effects in architectural, industrial, wood and furniture coatings, printing inks, automotive coatings, corrosion protection systems, can or coil coatings, floor coatings, adhesives and sealants, polishes, and leather and PVC and as processing additives for thermoplastics.

To be precise,PFAS are extremely persistent, bioaccumulative, partially toxic, but widely used. In general, they show exceptional water- and oil-repellent properties, a high durability under extreme conditions, and electrical and thermal insulation. Their (formerly) unique properties include numerous applications, such as:

Where do you find PFAS in additives figure
  • Strong reduction of surface tension
  • Superb substrate wetting and spreading properties
  • Anti-crater properties
  • Easy to recoat
  • Good leveling properties
  • Non-stick properties
  • Can stabilize foam (in case of fluorosurfactants)
  • Can be very effective defoamers (in case of fluorinated defoamers)
  • Anti-fingerprint properties
  • Excellent abrasion resistance (in case of PTFE-based wax additives)
  • Scratch resistance (in case of PTFE-based wax additives)
  • Oleophobic and hydrophobic properties

For all these applications BYK has invented products that cover these formerly unique properties without using PFAS.

PFAS-free in all production processes

Apart from terminating its shipments of additives with PFAS content by the end of 2025, BYK will by then also have converted all its production facilities worldwide to PFAS-free firefighting foam. To this end, BYK has invested heavily in new or modified firefighting equipment.

New, innovative PFAS-free alternatives available

Defoamers

PFAS-free defoamers and air release additives

Surface additives

PFAS-free surface additives

Wax additives

PFAS-free wax additives

Processing additives

PFAS-free processing additives

PFAS-free defoamers and air release additives

PFAS-containing defoamers and air release additives usually provide several benefits, such as:

  • Excellent defoaming properties in a wide range of systems
  • Anti-pinhole effect
  • Reduction of surface tension
  • Positive influence on leveling and surface appearance
  • No negative influence on transparency
  • Excellent storage stability

However, all the aforementioned properties can also be covered by BYK additives without PFAS depending on the system used.

A small selection of alternatives for PFAS-containing defoamers can be found here:

Defoamer additives image
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Defoamers image

Selection guideline for PFAS-free defoamers

This short selection guideline for PFAS-free defoamers should help in the selection of the right additive or where to start. The new PFAS-free alternatives are globally available and are recommended for all application areas.

Selection guideline for PFAS free defoamers

PFAS-free surface additives

Surface additives containing PFAS can influence different surface properties in a unique way.
Their key properties are:

  • Excellent compatibility in a wide range of systems
  • Silicone-free
  • Excellent leveling properties
  • Reduction of surface tension
  • Effective wetting of critical substrates
  • Anti-cratering properties

PFAS-free solutions depend on the application, the silicone tolerance, the system itself, and the desired properties. BYK offers suitable PFAS-free alternatives for all these different requirements.

A small selection of alternatives for PFAS-containing surface additives can be found here:

Surface additives icon

PFAS-free wax additives

PTFE-based wax additives are known for characteristic properties, such as:

  • Very good abrasion resistance
  • Chemically inert
  • Temperature resistant
  • Higher density compared to other wax additives and therefore different orientation in the coating film

These additives show a special behavior in the coating film:

Wax additives behaviour

It is difficult to match all these properties exactly with PTFE-free additives, but BYK offers customized alternatives to best meet these high demands, especially when focusing on abrasion resistance.

A small selection of alternatives for PFAS-containing wax additives can be found here:

wax additives

PFAS-free processing additives

Processing aids in thermoplastic applications often contain PFAS to achieve certain properties, e.g.:

  • Prevention of melt fracture (sharkskin) and die build-up
  • No negative influence on printability or painting
  • Durable for high temperature processes up to 290 °C

BYK developed alternative processing aids that are PFAS-free and still have the usual positive effect on the process and result.

A small selection of alternatives for PFAS-containing processing additives can be found here:

processing additives icon

Dive into deep

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Free brochure

Click here to download our technical brochure and find out more details.

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Press release

BYK to end production of additives containing PFAS - read full press release here.

Sustainability

Sustainability

Get inspired by sustainable additive solutions and find out more about sustainable products at BYK.

 

Any questions? Contact our additive experts!

BYK has already prepared PFAS-free alternatives. Any questions? Feel free to discuss them with your trusted BYK contact.
We’ll be pleased to make our customers formulations sustainable.

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