08/09/2026
Manufacturers should go PFAS-Free
Use PFAS-free polymers
Juan-Eric Davidtz, product manager for bearings at igus South Africa, explains that the widespread use of PFAS in industrial polymers, particularly PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene, best known by its trade name 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.” 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.
Go to www.igus.co.za
