The 30th "Stuttgarter Branchentreff: Farbe - Lack - Oberfläche" on May 28, 2025, entitled "Current topics in the environmental debate and their possible effects on the development, production and processing of coating materials", focused on two topics that will occupy the industry intensively in the coming years: PFAS regulation and the new EU regulation on microplastics.
In two specialist presentations by Michael Keller (Münzing Chemie GmbH) and Dr. Martin Klatt (BASF), specific effects and obligations were outlined. The tenor: The regulations are extensive, interfere deeply with existing processes, cause considerable effort on the part of companies and therefore require early preparation.
PFAS ban: technically complex, regulatory concrete
Michael Keller from Münzing made it clear that the PFAS issue has far-reaching technical implications - especially for the use of PTFE in wax and lubricant-based systems. He reported on extensive development efforts in his company and new PFAS-free products, but also stated: "There is definitely no 1:1 alternative. PTFE remains unique in terms of hardness, sliding properties and thermal stability." This means that for some key PFAS applications, no substitution or only a less functional substitution will be possible - if you want to put it in a nutshell, the name for this is a legally prescribed "technological step backwards". Keller also confirmed that the medical use of PTFE has hardly been included in the regulatory discussion so far; users, i.e. medical professionals, in particular, have so far been unsuspecting and see no alternatives. If the ECHA does not take into account the consequences of a comprehensive ban in the medical sector, there will be a considerable step backwards in medical care - keyword catheter coating or prosthetics. Companies already have to expect gradual restrictions and an increased obligation to provide evidence, particularly for substances such as PFOA, for which limit values of 25 ppb (parts per billion) apply. Regardless of the many impending problems, Keller expects a far-reaching ban on PFAS with a few exceptions from 2027, despite the submissions from the industry.
Microplastics regulation: mandatory reporting, labeling and documentation
Dr. Martin Klatt presented the new Microplastics Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 - with precise legal and technical differentiation. Instead of the colloquial term "microplastics", we are now talking about SPM (Synthetic Polymer Microparticles). This refers tosolid synthetic polymers <5 mm that are not biodegradable and fibers <15 mm in length that make up more than 1 percent of a mixture. The regulation entails multi-level obligations:
Obligation | Deadline | Significance |
Labelling obligation for products containing SPM | October 17, 2025 | Reference to safety data sheet + recommendations for use |
Start of the obligation to collect emission data | January 1, 2026 | Internal recording of quantities and areas of application |
First reporting deadline to the ECHA | May 31, 2027 | Annual report with emission estimates, use and clientele |
Exemptions (so-called derogations) apply, among other things, to industrial applications in closed systems, irreversible incorporation of SPM (e.g.curingin coatings) and technically enclosed systems such as printer cartridges. Despite these exceptions, there is a comprehensive documentation obligation, for example on the polymer structure and the avoidance of emissions. Klatt explained: "The decisive question is no longer what is contained in the product, but what is emitted after use - and whether this emission can be quantified."
Emissions are to be calculated using the SPERC database (Specific Environmental Release Categories). Exemplary emission factors would be, for example: Water: 0.25%, air: 0.0097% and waste: 0.5%. In case of doubt, however, he recommends specifying your own, well-founded values.
Sober technical assessment
Despite the depth of the interventions and the expected difficulties, the tone of the event was consistently constructive. Both speakers made it clear that many companies should start with substitution and adaptation strategies today - not least to avoid compliance risks and supply chain disruptions.
There are initial alternatives for PFAS in the area of coating base materials - such as bio-based waxes, corundum or special polymer blends, even if a complete replacement in highly functional applications is not yet realistic.
A pragmatic approach was also recommended for microplastics. Klatt advised: "The chemical industry is now forced to revalidate old methods - with consequences for product classification, labeling and legal compliance."
The 30th Stuttgarter Lacktreff showed that the industry is aware of the challenges - and is working on solutions as best it can. The upcoming obligations clearly formulated in the presentations show what is important for companies in the future: anearly analysis of product portfolios, evaluation of technical alternatives, the development of regulatory expertise and transparent communication along the supply chain.