The new environmentally-friendly non-stick coating of Fraunhofer IFAM can replace products with per- and polyfluorinated chemicals on everyday products.
Fraunhofer IFAM has recently announced that it has developed the environmentally-friendly PFAS-free non-stick PLASLON® coating for pans, cutlery and packaging in order to provide an alternative solution for products that incorporate per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS), since these substances pose known risks to humans and the environment and a partial ban on its production and employment is expected to be implemented soon.
PFAS are a group of several thousand individual chemicals that do not originally occur in nature, are extremely stable and are therefore constantly accumulating in the environment. The fluorine compounds, also known as ‘eternity chemicals’, can occur in the blood serum of humans and lead to negative health effects. So, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is considering a ban on the production, use and marketing of PFAS by 2025.
The PLASLON coating – which is manufactured by means of plasma technology – has been designed as a gradient layer to enable adhesion to the product body while also displaying non-stick properties. It is also characterised by easy-to-clean properties and is resistant to cutting and abrasion. Moreover, the coating is non-porous and food safe, exhibiting oleophilic behaviour regarding edible oils and fats.
The plasma coatings developed by Fraunhofer IFAM offer an ideal alternative, as they are not only fluorine-free (Zero-F), but also free of additives and can be applied on almost all materials. As a matter of fact, due to their property profile they are particularly suitable as PFAS-free non-stick coatings, sliding coatings and hydrophobic finishes.