The European Sealing Association is a non-profit trade association, representing more than 60 manufacturers and suppliers of sealing devices and materials across Europe.
WP: What new PFAS regulations are currently having an impact on the pumps/sealing sector?
SVdB: Both the US and the EU are implementing or proposing restrictions aimed at reducing PFAS usage because of their environmental persistence and their potential health risks.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), with support from multiple European countries, is advancing a regulation that could phase out nearly all PFAS substances, including Fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FEP, PVDF, ETFE, PFA, ECTFE, FKM, and FFKM, etc., which are widely used in the pumps, valves and sealing industry. This proposal ban could cause significant concerns because fluoropolymers are crucial materials used in many sealing products due to their unique properties. A complete ban would require manufacturers to seek less effective, often costlier alternatives, impacting operational costs and material performance.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meanwhile, has introduced new rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that impose limits on PFAS in drinking water and mandate comprehensive reporting on PFAS manufacturing, usage, and disposal. The EPA’s roadmap also proposes designating certain PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which could accelerate efforts to clean up contaminated sites.
Fluoropolymers do not pose a risk to human health or the environment as they are non-toxic, not bioavailable, non-water soluble, non-mobile and do not bio-accumulate. The European Sealing Association (ESA) has advocated for more selective regulations, distinguishing between harmful PFAS substances and safe fluoropolymers.
WP: What problems are these regulations causing the pumps and sealing industries?
SVdB: Regulatory restrictions on PFAS are creating several challenges for the pump and sealing industry:
Fluoropolymers are used in the manufacturing of gaskets, seals, O-rings, and other components critical for pumps because they are thermally and chemically stable, electrically non-conductive, flame retardant, water-repellent and perform low friction properties, making them useful in a wide range of applications. Fluoropolymers enhance the durability, safety, and longevity of a wide range of products. With growing regulatory pressure, manufacturers will face limited access to these materials, which are challenging to replace with equally effective alternatives. This can lead to reduced equipment reliability, particularly in high-temperature and/ or corrosive applications.
Developing and validating new materials to replace PFAS is costly and time-consuming. New materials must undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet safety, performance, and regulatory standards, which can strain budgets.
Non-compliance with PFAS regulations can lead to fines and penalties, and the long-term liability for environmental contamination linked to PFAS can be severe.
Alternative sealing materials may not offer the same longevity in extreme conditions, which can increase maintenance frequency and reduce the efficiency of pumps and sealing systems.
Other implications include higher maintenance costs, higher design costs, and higher safety and environmental risks.
WP: What impact would a full PFAS ban have on the pumps/sealing sector?
SVdB: The net present value of loss for EU fluoropolymer industry in case of limited derogation for 2025–2030 period can be in the range of €6.2 billion–18 billion. The net present value of relevant downstream markets for the same period can be as high as €4.8 trillion–7.2 trillion.
According to market reports, PTFE makes up over 50% of the total market volume of Fluoropolymers.
The industry is definitely not ready to remove all PFAS from its products and solutions as currently no alternative solutions offer the same performance.
WP: Which pump/seal parts/materials are there no viable PFAS alternative for?
SVdB: Fluoropolymers are used as O-rings, gaskets, shaft seals, bearings, diaphragms, pump linings, impeller seals, pump seals, mechanical pump seals and pump components are used in many critical applications at elevated temperature, high pressure and corrosive environment.
Current alternatives for O-rings do not have the same technical properties compared to Fluoropolymers and/or Fluoroelastomers and therefore can only be implemented at lower operating conditions. Fluoropolymer-based seals (eg O-rings) are used in those processes to prevent leaks and emissions of hazardous chemicals.
Stainless steel and exotic alloys are used for applications involving highly reactive chemicals. However rapid corrosion and abrasion (on metal dynamic applications) would be the consequence.
Chrome/nickel alloys are usually considered as possible alternatives for these applications. While used for lining in pumps to operate certain chemical processes, and still in use today, these materials are not able to meet specific anti-corrosion requirements.
Alloys are likely to be more costly, especially nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloys.
Fluoropolymers are generally more resistant to chemicals and at higher temperatures and provide durable, low maintenance, and economical alternatives to exotic metal alloys.
PFA and PTFE are also used for lining pumps in the chemical processing industry, with the aim to avoid corrosion under specific conditions of chemical attack.
In addition, there are alternatives that are more or less resistant to specific chemicals but not one that is universally suitable. If there were no fluoropolymers, not only would the alternatives have inferior performance, but a specific alternative would have to be developed for each manufacturing process, with potential differences across the industry.
Existing or new replacement materials could face future regulatory restrictions if they prove harmful, creating potential for repeat cycles of material phase-outs and replacements.
WP: How are pump/sealing manufacturers working to reduce their use of PFAS?
SVdB: Pump and sealing manufacturers are actively working to reduce their reliance on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Here are a few examples on how manufacturers are reducing PFAS use, along with alternative materials and solutions being explored.
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) have similar temperature resistance (260 °C), lower chemical resistance, rigid, and inferior electrical properties and also cost concerns when compared to fluoropolymers such as ETFE and PTFE or a fluoroelastomer (FKM)
Elastomers and silicones such as NBR, HNBR, ACM, AEM rubber, as used in seals, O-rings, and suitable for other applications and resistant to specific chemicals. They have generally lower resistance to temperature changes, abrasion, and chemicals compared to Fluoropolymers.
Polysulfone (PSF) and PES can be alternatives for water filtration membranes but are less resistant to chemicals, resulting in shorter membrane life and higher maintenance and replacement costs.
Stainless steel and exotic alloys depending on the application are widely in use as mentioned before.
Materials such as Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coatings and ceramic linings, which are PFAS-free, are used in mechanical seals and pump components.
However, because of the combination of beneficial properties of Fluoropolymers, no alternatives have been identified that could replace Fluoropolymers in many, or over a broad range, of applications in the sectors considered.
WP: Does more R&D need to be undertaken to develop suitable PFAS-free materials for use in pumps and seals?
SVdB: Suitable substitutes must offer similar resistance to chemicals, heat, and mechanical stress to ensure product reliability. R&D and testing new materials will incur substantial costs and require significant time. Manufacturing processes may need modifications, potentially involving new equipment. Establishing new supply chains for alternative materials will be necessary, involving new contracts and quality assurances.
WP: Is there anything else you would like to add?
SVdB: Overall, these regulatory trends are pushing the pump and sealing industry towards innovation and adaptation, emphasizing the need for new, compliant materials and collaboration to ensure supply chain transparency and regulatory alignment across regions.
*Part of this interview was first published in World Pumps, November/December 2024 issue as part of a focus on PFAS restrictions. Read the full story here: The Big Debate.