Swiss speciality chemical company Clariant has developed a texturing agent for powder coatings without polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a fluoropolymer within the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group of chemicals.
PTFE is an anti-adhesive material with many applications, including making pans non-stick, insulation for cables, and powder coatings. It can enhance the scratch resistance and slip performance or act as a texturising additive, providing powder coatings with the right consistency and stability for many applications. However, there is evidence and increasing concern about PTFE’s impact on human health and the environment, and laws like the EU’s REACH (Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals) are striving to restrict or ban its use.
Clariant’s new Ceridust 8170 M ‘combines two ideas that have, until now, only existed separately: the texturing qualities of PTFE and the environmental benefits of a PTFE-free alternative’, the company said in a statement. The material is compliant with REACH and is PFAS-free in addition to PTFE-free. The coating powder extrusion process also has reduced energy consumption, according to Clariant.
“We are looking forward to providing this pioneering product to our customers in the powder coatings industry, whether for industrial coatings or in the building and construction area,” the company said in a statement. “We understand the urgent need for change and are proud to be leading the way with PTFE-free solutions.”
PTFE-free materials were one of the trends at last month’s Fakuma, with Avient introducing a new line of flame-retardant additives without the fluoropolymer, for example.