BYK to End Production of Additives Containing PFAS

BYK Additives is delivering a strong message to the chemical industry and customers throughout the world. For years, BYK has been actively promoting extensive research efforts towards replacing its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with more environmentally compatible alternatives.

“As a leading manufacturer of additives, we have been pursuing a number of major research strategies in recent years, one of which is to replace additives containing PFAS with alternative substances,” said Dr. Stefan Mößmer, managing director marketing & commercial. “It’s not enough for us to be a leading innovator; we also want to help our customers phase out products containing PFAS by offering them differentiated alternatives at an early date and showing them new ways in the formulation of sustainable solutions with less environmental impact.

“Our specific goal is to offer fluorine-free solutions by the end of 2025 for our customers’ applications in which, currently, additives containing PFAS are still used,” Dr. Mößmer added. “This is also the cut-off date at which BYK will ship the last batch of additives with PFAS content.”

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.

They are found in a variety of product groups such as defoamers, surface additives, wax additives, etc., where they produce 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 process additives in extrusion, injection molding, foils, and fibers.

Even today, the percentage of PFAS-containing additives in BYK’s product portfolio is very small.

“As a leading innovator we are convinced that we can help customers phase out products containing PFAS by offering our pioneering alternatives at an early date and showing them new ways in the formulation of sustainable solutions,” explained BYK Division president Dr. Jörg Hinnerwisch.