BYK to stop producing additives containing PFAS

The BYK Additives business unit is sending a strong message to the global chemical industry and customers. For many years, BYK has been actively driving extensive research efforts to replace its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

“As a leading additive manufacturer, we have been implementing several major research strategies in recent years, one of which is to replace additives containing PFAS with alternative substances,” said Dr. Stefan Mößmer, Managing Director Market and Commercial.

“It is 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 stage and by showing them new ways to develop sustainable solutions that reduce the environmental impact.”

“Our specific goal is to offer fluorine-free solutions for applications in which our customers currently still use additives containing PFAS by the end of 2025,” added Dr. Mößmer. “This is also the deadline for BYK to ship the last batch of additives containing PFAS.”

BYK does use small amounts of fluorinated alkyl compounds as raw materials in the manufacture of certain additives. These compounds are chemically bound to additives, are non-volatile and are used only in closed or contained systems.

They are found in various product groups, such as defoamers, surface additives, wax additives, etc. and produce numerous 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, leather and PVC and as process additives in extrusion, injection molding, foils and fibers.

Even today, the proportion of PFAS-containing additives in the BYK portfolio is very small.

"As a leading innovator, we are convinced that we can help our customers to phase out products containing PFAS by offering our groundbreaking alternatives at an early stage and showing them new ways to develop sustainable solutions," explains Dr. Jörg Hinnerwisch, Division President at BYK.