BYK-022
VOC-free silicone defoamer for aqueous industrial, architectural, and wood coatings as well as printing inks and adhesives
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.
Therefore 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.
Even today, the percentage of PFAS-containing additives in BYK's extensive product portfolio is very small. As a leading innovator we are convinced that we can help our customers phase out products containing PFAS by offering our pioneering alternatives at an early date and showing new ways in the formulation of sustainable solutions.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become the subject of discussion as an ultra-stable group of chemical compounds. They are therefore also termed “forever chemicals”. PFAS are almost entirely non-degradable and can accumulate in the environment, in human beings, and in animals. BYK does use fluorinated alkyl compounds to a very small extent as raw materials in the manufacture of selected additives. These are chemically bound in the additives, are non-volatile, and are used only in closed or contained systems.
BYK additives that contain PFAS are – or were – to be found in a variety of product groups such as defoamers, surface additives, wax additives, etc. They are used for many special effects in architectural, industrial, wood and furniture coatings, printing inks, automotive coatings, corrosion protection systems, can or coil coatings, floor coatings, adhesives and sealants, polishes, and leather and PVC and as processing additives for thermoplastics.
To be precise,PFAS are extremely persistent, bioaccumulative, partially toxic, but widely used. In general, they show exceptional water- and oil-repellent properties, a high durability under extreme conditions, and electrical and thermal insulation. Their (formerly) unique properties include numerous applications, such as:
For all these applications BYK has invented products that cover these formerly unique properties without using PFAS.
Apart from terminating its shipments of additives with PFAS content by the end of 2025, BYK will by then also have converted all its production facilities worldwide to PFAS-free firefighting foam. To this end, BYK has invested heavily in new or modified firefighting equipment.
PFAS-containing defoamers and air release additives usually provide several benefits, such as:
However, all the aforementioned properties can also be covered by BYK additives without PFAS depending on the system used.
A small selection of alternatives for PFAS-containing defoamers can be found here:
This short selection guideline for PFAS-free defoamers should help in the selection of the right additive or where to start. The new PFAS-free alternatives are globally available and are recommended for all application areas.
Surface additives containing PFAS can influence different surface properties in a unique way.
Their key properties are:
PFAS-free solutions depend on the application, the silicone tolerance, the system itself, and the desired properties. BYK offers suitable PFAS-free alternatives for all these different requirements.
A small selection of alternatives for PFAS-containing surface additives can be found here:
PTFE-based wax additives are known for characteristic properties, such as:
These additives show a special behavior in the coating film:
It is difficult to match all these properties exactly with PTFE-free additives, but BYK offers customized alternatives to best meet these high demands, especially when focusing on abrasion resistance.
A small selection of alternatives for PFAS-containing wax additives can be found here:
Processing aids in thermoplastic applications often contain PFAS to achieve certain properties, e.g.:
BYK developed alternative processing aids that are PFAS-free and still have the usual positive effect on the process and result.
A small selection of alternatives for PFAS-containing processing additives can be found here:
Press release
BYK to end production of additives containing PFAS - read full press release here.
Sustainability
Get inspired by sustainable additive solutions and find out more about sustainable products at BYK.
BYK at ECS 2025
March 25-27, 2025 - Meet us in Hall 3A, booth 124. We are looking forward to see you.
Any questions? Contact our additive experts!
BYK has already prepared PFAS-free alternatives. Any questions? Feel free to discuss them with your trusted BYK contact.
We’ll be pleased to make our customers formulations sustainable.
