Kundeninformation
July 31, 2024
PFAS
Efficient lubrication to reduce friction, wear, and energy intake it the core goal at setral® as special lubricant manufacturer. With more than 50 years of experience in the development, production, and sales, for a quite long time it is no longer just about finding the best technical solution for our customers, but rather about designing our portfolio to be sustainable, environmentally friendly and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Find following:
What is PFAS?
PFAS stands for all chemical substances with at least one fully fluorinated methyl (-CF3) or methylene (-CF2) carbon atom in the absence of H, Cl, Br, I. This includes over 10 000 substances. For lubricants, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), a solid lubricant, and the base oil PFPE (perfluoropolyether) fall under the PFAS definition. While PTFE might be familiar to consumers from the non-sticking pan coating, PFPE is less well known, but is also present in cosmetics.
These two substances are used in lubricant formulations primarily because of their unique performance collective. This is almost always the case when classic lubricants fail because of harsh operating conditions or are indispensable for safety applications. Typical features of the requirements, which usually even apply in combination:
There has been a restriction proposal for PFAS since 2023 because they are persistent, i.e. long-lasting and difficult to break down. Therefore, these compounds can be detected in our environment and in our human bodies over a long period of time. They may cause damage there. Long-term consequences of PFAS exposure are unclear. In the preliminary restriction dossier, the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) proposes the restriction of the production, sale and use of all PFAS substances.
Further steps in the planned PFAS restriction
5 600 comments were received by the ECHA by the end of the consultation period on September 25th, 2023, on the proposed restriction dossier, published on February 7th, 2023. These include position papers from raw material suppliers, interest groups from numerous industries such as the automotive industry, as well as the VSI (German Association of the Lubricant Industry), in which setral® actively participated, and also our own setral® comment. These comments have the key messages in common in making it clear that there is no alternative, that the impact on our known lifestyle would be enormous, and that significant scientific and economic advances would be undone.
Given the high number of comments, the numerous applications, and the unprecedentedly large and inhomogeneous group of substances in a restriction dossier, processing is challenging for the ECHA, making it highly unlikely that the usual schedule will be adhered to.
The EU has not yet made a final decision on restrictions. It is currently expected to come into force between 2026 and 2027. Even after that, transition periods still apply.
According to the latest publication of the summit on chemistry, the German Federal Government does not support a blanket ban on PFAS. Quote translated from German: “The Federal Government is committed to ensure that the EU’s benchmark for REACH substance restrictions remains risk-based. In the Federal Government’s opinion, blanket, undifferentiated bans on entire classes of substances are not covered by the existing European legal framework and are not envisaged under the current proposal from the German and other specialist authorities.”[1]
The U.S.A. is considering regulations. Currently, there is a recommendation by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) to limit water-soluble and short-chain PFAS substances that can enter mainstream drinking water. In addition, on September 28th, 2023, the EPA required retroactive reporting on the production and import of PFAS from 2011 to 2022 as part of the “Toxic Substances Control Act Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (“PFAS”) Final Rule”. The definition of PFAS is almost identical between EPA and ECHA and will not be considered further in this context.
According to current information, the states of Maine, Colorado and Connecticut are planning a stepwise restriction of products that contain intentionally added PFAS. These restrictions are mainly related to products in the B2C sector. For critical uses of PFAS, the ban will be lifted due to the lack of PFAS substitutes in all reflected states. The state Maine is also following this trend, removing general reporting by PFAS distributors and exempting product groups from the PFAS ban. California completly overturned its PFAS ban due to significant potential economic damage. A new bill has met with strong opposition from industry, so it is still uncertain whether a PFAS ban will be enacted in California.
PFAS-free options
Until recently, around 50 setral® products contained PFAS as an ingredient. Since the end of 2023 there have been a few less. Various formulations are now available without PFAS – without changing their typical characteristics.
For many years, setral® has been researching for suitable alternatives. The need for the use of PFAS in new developments is being evaluated even more closely. There is no alternative to the unique performance collective of PFPE and PTFE, especially when it comes to the suitability for high and low temperatures as well as durability. Exactly for this reason these special lubricants are always used when harsh conditions are unavoidable or safety-relevant components are lubricated. Many of these setral® lubricants are ideally suited for the food industry with H1 formulations and production according to the hygiene standard ISO 21 469.
Setral® offers PFAS-free alternatives in its portfolio. Currently the amount is constantly increasing. In case of questions about a changeover, our experts will be happy to support you with “Competence in Lubricants”.
Your setral® product management team
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