Everything You Need to Know About PFAS & PFAS-Free Lubricants
FUCHS views sustainability as a core element of sound corporate management. Operating sustainably means developing products with minimal impact on the environment and on human health. To accomplish this, our Research & Development and Product Stewardship teams pay close attention to the ever-changing regulatory landscape to ensure the products we manufacture are compliant and safe.
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, have made worldwide news as more is learned about the potential long-term effects of these substances and regulatory bodies develop legislation to regulate them. In this article we cover everything you need to know about PFAS, their uses, and FUCHS’ efforts to develop PFAS-free solutions.
What is PFAS?
PFAS is a very broad term that encompasses thousands of chemicals. PFAS are widely used in everything from household cleaning products to food packaging and chemical production facilities. PFAS do not breakdown easily and can be absorbed by humans and animals via food or water sources. Early studies indicate that certain PFAS can negatively impact human health by increasing the risk of reproductive issues, certain cancers, and developmental delays, to name a few. Further research is required before experts understand the exposure levels at which these risks increase.
What are the PFAS regulations in the US & EU?
Due to the uncertain effects of long-term PFAS exposure and their widespread use, the regulation of these chemicals is a complicated task. Regulations in the United States and European Union (EU) are not yet determined; different proposals are being issued regularly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed some restrictions regarding specific fluorinated compounds in National Primary Drinking Water. FUCHS products will not be affected by these restrictions. Additional steps are still being determined, and a ban or limit on PFAS content has not been issued.
The most recent European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) draft dossier was published on February 7th, 2023, and proposes a total ban on all PFAS (10,000 substances), restricting their manufacture, sale, and use in the EU. The proposal has entered an “open comment period" where corporations can provide information that will be used to shape the restrictions and granting of derogations. Exceptions are often requested where the removal of PFAS is critical and has no known alternative and/or where its addition has minimal risk of impacting the environment or being exposed to humans.
When will these regulations go into effect?
Various agencies including the EPA and ECHA have issued roadmaps containing proposed steps towards regulation and a tentative timeline. The future of PFAS use is still unclear but our global teams pay close attention to updates coming from relevant regulatory bodies in order to best prepare ourselves and our customers for upcoming changes.
Where are PFAS used in our products?
PFAS are found in fluorinated greases and oils, which may contain a PFPE base oil, PTFE thickener, or PTFE as an additive. PTFE thickeners exhibit excellent performance in vacuum and at high temperatures. For these reasons they have often been used in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive applications where high temperature/and or vacuum are present. Fluorinated lubricants, however, go into a variety of applications, so multiple industries beyond those previously listed may be impacted.
What efforts is FUCHS taking to comply with these regulations?
At FUCHS we understand that while a complete ban on PFAS has not been issued, it is possible. Our R&D teams are taking a proactive approach and preparing for the most stringent regulations by conducting fundamental research to identify alternative technologies that will enable us to develop PFAS-free products. We have been working with customers who are looking to get ahead of potential PFAS regulations to develop PFAS-free alternatives. While we are working to eliminate PFAS from our new formulations, PFAS-containing products will still be available for the foreseeable future. In the current global VUCA environment, we have stayed in constant communication with our suppliers to ensure the security of raw material supply. In short, we can accommodate customers who want PFAS-free products as well as those who are not ready or able to make the switch.
What effect does the removal of PFAS have on product performance?
FUCHS has performed extensive studies to determine the performance benefits of PFAS materials in lubricants. There are multiple cases where PFAS-free technology offers the same or improved performance – particularly in low temperature properties, stick-slip behavior, and wear protection. In applications requiring high temperatures, chemical inertness, and vacuum conditions the removal of PFAS does pose some technical challenges. We are currently working on next generation technologies and are excited to work with customers to innovate new solutions to meet their specific requirements.
