igus® products and PFAS

As a manufacturer of high-performance polymers, we use a wide variety of materials. Some materials, for example, contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is associated with fluoropolymers and then again with perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). Since the EU might ban PFAS in future, you can find some information and background details on these substances and our products below.

Background information: what are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are industrial chemicals that are used in numerous industrial processes and consumer products due to their special technical specifications. They can be gaseous, liquid or solid and mostly consist of carbon and fluorine atoms. Apart from this, the structures of PFAS molecules can be completely different, which means that they can have many different specifications. 

As a group of substances, PFAS include many different compounds: according to the OECD database, more than 4,700, according to the EPA, more than 9,000 and according to the EU Commission, even more than 10,000. From this, you can see that it is neither a unique nor a constant value. The stated value is usually based on estimates. The following diagram provides an overview of the classification of PFAS, first of all into non-polymers and polymers:

Non-polymers

In the subgroup of non-polymers, the compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) have been studied the most. Like many PFAS, these two compounds are persistent and can now be found in the environment, the food chain and in people. PFOA and PFOS have a proven negative impact on health. Together with PFHxs and PFNA, they account for 90% of the current contamination with PFAS.

Polymers

In the subgroup of polymers, a distinction is made between fluoropolymers and polymers with fluorinated side chains:

• The fluoropolymers consist of a carbon chain with directly attached fluorine atoms. This makes them so strong that they cannot break down into toxic substances. According to the OECD, fluoropolymers are "products of low concern", non-toxic and non-bioaccumulative, i.e. they cannot accumulate in organisms. The only danger is the possible use of toxic additives during production in the form of emulsifiers. Fluoropolymers are used, for example, in coatings, seals and cable insulation. PTFE, among other things, belongs to the fluoropolymers.


• Polymers with fluorinated side chains: polymers with fluorinated side chains also consist of a carbon chain, but with lateral carbon chains to which the fluorine atoms are first attached. As a result, these polymers are less strong, and there is a risk of losing the side chains. They are used, for example, as impregnating agents.

Current legal situation regarding PFAS (as of April 20, 2023)

EU: The use of PFOS has been largely banned since 2006 and that of PFOA since July 2020 - our certification can be found here. Five European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway) submitted a proposal for a general restriction of PFAS, which was published by ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) on 7th February 2023. This proposal is a first step in a long regulatory process and will be examined by all stakeholders. The first phase of consultation by all stakeholders runs from 22nd March 2023 until 22nd September 2023. The proposed PFAS regulation would be likely to come into force in EU member countries in 2026 at the earliest. Transitional periods of up to 13 years are possible from the time they come into force.US: The EPA has issued a final regulation adding five PFAS substances to the list of over 170 PFAS substances that are reportable under the Toxics Release Inventory ("TRI"), a central database for public reporting of chemicals. Fluoropolymers are not included in the TRI list. Fluoropolymers are not included in the TRI list.

What does a possible PFAS ban mean for igus products?

Regardless of a possible PFAS ban, we already have many materials in our portfolio that do not contain PTFE according to the formulation (List as a PDF file for download):

• iglidur A160, A200, A230, A290, A500, B160, B180, C, F, GLW, IC-04, J2, J3, J3B, M250, N94, R, T220, W160, X6
• igumid G, GLW, NB, TE
• Solamid G

Concerning materials with PTFE, our development department has been working on substitutes for some time. These materials do not necessarily contain critical PFAS compounds. To ensure this, some materials have already been tested for more than 100 of the most important PFAS compounds. The content of the following is below the limit of determination (as of 2nd March 2023):
 

• iglidur G, J, M250, P, P210, W300, X

The following materials are currently still being tested regarding the most critical PFAS connections:
 

• iglidur A500, GLW, H1, J200
• igumid CG, ESD, G, GLW, NB

Note: The presence of ubiquitous traces of undesirable substances can never be ruled out. Since igus has no influence on the use of products with the above materials, we do not assume any guarantee or liability, either express or implied, in connection with the use of this information.

Further information on our products and PFAS

• PFAS in iglidur® plain bearings?