PFAS-free additives for Graphic Arts, Adhesives & Sealants and other applications

PFAS-free additives for Graphic Arts, Adhesives & Sealants and other applications

Wednesday, 13 November, 2024

BYK additives has spent years actively directing significant research efforts, investments, and human resources towards replacing its per- and polyfluoroalkyl additives with more environmentally compatible alternatives. We have now reached a point that allows us to offer our customers pioneering, sustainable PFAS-free solutions for almost all of our products.

BYK will end its production of additives containing PFAS and will be shipping the last batch of the affected products by the end of 2025. By then, we will also be offering PFAS-free solutions for applications in which, currently, additives containing PFAS are still used.

Surface additives

The BYK PFAS-containing products in the graphic arts area are BYK-3440, BYK-3441, and BYK-388. PFAS-free solutions depend on the application, the silicone tolerance, the system itself, and the desired properties:

BYK wax alternatives for PTFE-based wax additives

PTFE wax additives present excellent abrasion resistance, scratch resistance and non-stick properties.

As alternatives to PTFE wax additives, BYK has been focusing on matching the abrasion resistance properties.

Typical PTFE-based products from BYK are AQUACER 1550 R, CERACOL 603, CERACOL 607 R, CERAFLOUR 955, CERAFLOUR 959, CERAFLOUR 965, CERAFLOUR 966, CERAFLOUR 968, CERAFLOUR 969, CERAFLOUR 981 R, CERAFLOUR 996 R, CERAFLOUR 997 R, CERAFLOUR 998 R, CERAFLOUR 999. They can be replaced by the following grades:

Alternatives for the BYK-060 family defoamers

PFAS-containing BYK-066 N, BYK-065, BYK-061, BYK-067 A can be replaced by BYK-1810, BYK-1811, BYK-1815, BYK-1816 or BYK-1818.

BYK-1810, BYK-1815 and BYK-1816 can be used as starting points. BYK-1818 is more compatible and BYK-1811 has a stronger defoaming effect but should be used at the milling stage as it is more incompatible.

Those new defoamers show performances at par with PFAS-containing defoamers:

Excellent defoaming properties (wide formulation range) in solvent-borne and solvent-free systems
Spontaneous defoaming
Anti-pinhole effect
Reduction of surface tension
Positive influence on leveling and surface appearance
No negative influence on transparency (provided compatibility)
Good storage stability

BYK-1798 is also a defoamer that contains PFAS and is also facing increased regulation. Depending on the system, different products are recommended as starting points.

A more compatible option for post addition or sensitive systems is BYK-1818

For solvent-based systems, alternatives are BYK-1816 and BYK-1788 (for 100% UV-systems).

For aqueous systems, typical aqueous defoamers can be used: BYK-022, BYK-1786, etc

If you have any query in relation to this topic, please contact our team of technical sales advisors.

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