Datwyler expands its portfolio of fluorosurfactant-free FKM materials

Altdorf, Switzerland – As PFAS regulations tighten worldwide, manufacturers face growing pressure to evaluate materials used in critical applications. While fluorinated polymers are not expected to face immediate bans, many could be phased out over time, requiring companies to balance compliance with long-term product performance.

For demanding industries, fluorosurfactant-free FKM will remain the best option for some applications, while PFAS-free alternatives may be suitable for others. The right choice depends on operating conditions, including temperature, chemical exposure, geometry and system requirements.

Datwyler has expanded its portfolio of fluorosurfactant-free FKM materials and completed full working-condition validation for alternative compounds. The company works with customers to evaluate materials based on application requirements rather than one-for-one substitutions.

Regulatory changes are accelerating material decisions for global manufacturers. As qualification cycles can take years, companies are increasingly assessing alternatives before regulations require changes. A single material strategy also becomes more important as regional PFAS regulations continue to evolve.

Material selection has become more complex because traditional FKM combines high-temperature performance with resistance to aggressive chemicals. While polymers such as VMQ, EPDM, NBR, HNBR and AEM may meet some requirements, each involves performance tradeoffs.

Datwyler’s approach combines material development, testing, simulation, component design and manufacturing expertise to identify solutions that maintain reliability while meeting evolving regulatory requirements.

As electrification and advanced electronics increase performance demands, manufacturers are shifting from simple material substitution to application-specific engineering strategies that align materials, component design and production processes with long-term system performance.