These “forever chemicals” so-called because of their inability to break down in nature have been linked to widespread pollution of water, soil, wildlife and even human bloodstreams. They’re used in everything from non-stick cookware to industrial lubricants and most significantly (for the engineering sector), polymer-based components.
Juan-Eric Davidtz, product manager for bearings at igus South Africa, explained that the widespread use of PFAS in industrial polymers, particularly PTFE (Teflon), is far greater than most people realise.
“Most of the components manufactured today contain some form of PFAS – it’s everywhere. Even when companies claim their materials are safe it often means the PFAS they’re using simply hasn’t made it onto the regulatory blacklist – yet.”
The issue is that many manufacturers continue to use hazardous PFAS compounds because they offer great performance in reducing friction and wear. This performance comes at a cost as once these synthetic materials enter the environment they remain there indefinitely. They do not biodegrade they accumulate in living organisms and they can pose long-term health risks.
As a global innovator in polymer technology for over 60 years, igus has taken proactive steps to reduce and eventually eliminate harmful PFAS from its products.
These next-generation materials are not only wear-resistant and self-lubricating but also safer for people and the planet,” says Juan-Eric.
igus continues to develop PFAS-free (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) engineered plastics in response to mounting evidence of severe environmental and health hazards caused by the chemicals.