PFAS

PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which include fluoropolymers such as PTFE.

The decades-long, uncontrolled use of fluorinated compounds has raised significant social and political concerns. The global environmental impacts, among other things due to the careless release of fluorinated surfactants, cannot yet be fully assessed. Everyone who has used PFAS up to now should take responsibility and seek alternatives.

For this reason, bock machining gmbh aims to be a pioneer in PFAS-free custom sealing solutions. Through our activities, we want to help reduce the use of fluoropolymers in the future to the absolute technical minimum required.

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Stefan BockManaging director | bock machining gmbh
Expert article on the topic of PFAS | Last updated: April 11, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENT | FAQ

Polymers that contain fluorinated compounds include, in particular, the thermoplastics PTFE (Teflon®, TFM®) and PVDF (Kynar®), PFA, FEP, MFA, ECTFE (Halar®), ETFE (Tefzel®, Novoflon®) PCTFE (Voltalef®) and PHV.

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Elastomeric materials that contain fluorinated compounds include FKM (Viton®), FFKM (Kalrez®, Kemraz®), FEPM, FVMQ, and THV.

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Due to the very similar molecular structure, PTFE can generally be replaced by UHMW-PE in technical applications (e.g., seals and plain bearings).

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Modified UHMW-PE is a PFAS-free alternative to PTFE components up to a temperature of approximately 135 °C.

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For extremely aggressive chemicals (e.g., fuming acids) and/or continuous temperatures above 140 °C, there is currently no viable PFAS-free alternative to PTFE.

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For nearly all applications in general mechanical engineering, hydraulics, the beverage industry, and coating technology, seals made of virgin or modified UHMW-PE can replace PTFE as a sealing and bearing material.

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PEEK is a high-strength material that is primarily used to manufacture mechanically loaded components. As a sealing and bearing material, it is of secondary importance due to its high stiffness and moderate wear properties.

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Polyetheretherketone (molecular formula C19H12O3) contains only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms and is therefore free of fluorine. It is therefore considered a PFAS-free plastic.

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The most important manufacturers of fluoropolymers include Dyneon (Germany/USA, exit by the end of 2025), Chemours (USA, formerly DuPont), Gujarat (India), Halopolymer (Russia), Dongyue Group (China), Daikin (Japan/USA), Arkema (France), Solvay Solexis, and AGC (Japan).

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In recent decades, manufacturers and processors of fluoropolymers have recorded steady annual growth of approximately 6%.

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Fluoropolymers are currently under strong criticism due to their classification as PFAS. In light of expected regulatory restrictions and increasing societal pressure, it is anticipated that the use of PFAS will become more difficult in the future.

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In several environmental scandals, the fluorinated surfactants PFOS and PFOA, which are required for the production of PTFE, were released in large quantities. In addition, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) itself is classified as a PFAS, which represents a further drawback in the current debate. It is therefore expected that the public and the media will increasingly view the use of PTFE critically, thereby exerting pressure on policymakers and corporations (particularly the food industry). Ultimately, however, political decisions regarding a potential ban on fluoropolymers, especially in the United States remain to be seen.

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Dyneon manufactures the fluoropolymers PTFE, PFA, and PVDF, as well as the fluoroelastomers FKM and FFKM; in addition, it also produces fluorochemicals. The parent company 3M has announced that it will discontinue all products by the end of 2025 due to the PFAS issue.

Also see: https://www.bock-machining.de/ausstieg-von-3m-bei-pfas/

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PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is not a thermoplastic in the traditional sense, but must be processedby compression molding and sintering. Therefore, genuine recycling of PTFE currently only takes place with white, pure, and preferably clean production waste (machining chips). These chips are generally ground or processed into micropowder using electron irradiation. This granulate can be reprocessed by ram extrusion to manufacture rods of lower quality. Alternatively, it can be used as a filler in lubricants, dry-film coatings, and bearing plastics.

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Fa. Dyneon (3M) commissioned a plant at its Gendorf site in 2019 for the recovery of TFE monomers from PTFE compounds. The process was developed in cooperation with the University of Bayreuth, supported by KfW funding, and secured by patents. There are no indications that significant quantities have been recovered beyond the pilot phase since then. In view of the planned closure of the site at the end of 2025, it is assumed that the plant will not continue to operate.

See also: https://www.umweltinnovationsprogramm.de/projekte/bau-einer-demonstrationsanlage-zur-rueckgewinnung-fluorierter-monomere-aus

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What are your experiences? I look forward to receiving numerous responses!

Stefan Bock

 

Stefan Bock
Managing Director

✉ s.bock@bock-machining.de
✆ +49 (0) 6023 94701 – 12

Further articles

Read more + +01 September 2026 By Stefan Bock in Blog, PFAS

3M’s Exit from PFAS

bock machining Header webinarsRead more + +13 July 2026 By Stefan Bock in Live, PFAS, Webinar

Live Recording » Webinar 9: Design of Bellows and Diaphragms Made from UHMW-PE, a PFAS-Free Alternative Material

bock machining Header webinarsRead more + +13 July 2026 By Stefan Bock in Live, PFAS, Webinar

Live Recording » Webinar 8: PFAS—What Action Is Needed in Sealing Technology?

PFAS RestrictionsRead more + +10 July 2026 By Stefan Bock in Blog, PFAS

PFAS: The restrictions could go even further.

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