Byk ends production of PFAS-containing additives
Byk Additives is on the way to a PFAS-free product portfolio and has set itself the goal of delivering the last PFAS-containing products by the end of 2025.
For years, the additive manufacturer from Wesel has been actively supporting considerable research efforts to replace products containing perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Dr Stefan Mößmer, Managing Director Marketing & Commercial: “Our specific goal is to offer fluorine-free solutions by the end of 2025 for almost all of our customers’ applications in which additives containing PFAS are still used today.”
The company uses fluorinated alkyl compounds to a very small extent as raw materials in the production of selected additives. These are bound in the additives, are not volatile and are only used in closed systems. They can be found in various product groups such as defoamers, surface additives and wax additives and enable a variety of special effects in paints and architectural coatings, industrial coatings, wood and furniture coatings, printing inks, automotive coatings, corrosion protection systems, can & coil coatings, floor coatings, adhesives and sealants, polishes, leather and PVC as well as process additives for extrusion, injection moulding, films and fibres.
The proportion of PFAS-containing products at the additive manufacturer is already very low today. Byk Division Manager Dr Jörg Hinnerwisch: “Even before the EU or other legislative authorities present an exit roadmap, we are converting our entire portfolio to sustainable products and PFAS-free production.” Matthias Kramer, Managing Director Global Production: “Byk will not only produce all additives PFAS-free by the end of 2025, but will also have converted all production sites worldwide to PFAS-free firefighting foam. To this end, we at Byk have invested heavily in new or adapted fire protection systems.” Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds are under discussion, as the group of substances is extremely stable. They are therefore also referred to as “eternity chemicals”. PFAS are virtually non-degradable and can accumulate in the environment, in humans and animals.
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